Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-21
JOHN JACOB ASTON.
Pen and Ink sketch OF the = bird Uich-
est Man In the Uny.cd Stat..


The third richest mGu in the Union, &C
c)rdng 10 the New York Bornin9 Jotrnd
is John Jacob Asor, the chief owner and
heir Of the Aston estate. L Unlike many mil
lonaircs, says the JouaaI writer, Astor has
both psme and rchcs-e name linked with
fabulous wealth for three succeeding genera
tons The estimated value of the Astor
estate is from 500 900, 900 to 800, 900 900, a
veritablc mountain Of gold. John Jacob and
William Il. are its sole owners, the formers
interest said to be Two thirds.
For nearly a century the title Of being "the
landlords Of New York" has attached itself
to them. Johu Jacobs interest in houses,
lots and firms may he computed in the
thousands.
Among the valuable buildings principally
Owned by NJ. Aston rs chief heir to the
estate is the old landmark the Astor House,
winch was sJld to his father by his grand
father, the founder Of the immense estate,
for 81. lis present value is slid t. be
so, DOC, 900, being assessed at 81, $50, 600.
Tue Guarantee and Indemnity building,
chiefly owned By Mr.. Aston, was purchased
Il short time ago for 81 100000, while the
| Aston estate pays taxes on $4,000, 900 Of
real estate situated below Chambers street,
most OF which consists Of business houses
| on Broadway and Wall street. There is
| scarcely a ward, rect or avenue in the city
in which Mr., Astor dee n 1t own real estate
| on which The total emOrnt of taxes Is Cvet
S400, 900 annually
| Another point Of difference between MIR
Astor aud other millOnaires is in his invest
ments In Wall street his name never APP
| pears AS Spectator and ecliOm rs m in
/ tprA r coll . T., -, o.,
liar securities. Having an income of 10 per
cent on the gross amount invested in real es-
tate, he quietly buys more houses or lands
wien opportunity for gyol Investment Of
| fers. In an inventory made Of his various
properties an item Of SG0O0000 in cash ap-
peared as ''mOncy in trust companies and
banks waiting investment in real estate"
MIR. Astor is a man of striking personal
appearance being over six feet in height
stout, somewhat Inclined to corpu-
lcnce and straight az an arrow When on
the street his quick, elastic step and smiling
face, irinS,d with small, gray side whiskers
invariably e'tract attention His dress il
simply AMI surprisingly nea, At business
or In the street he wears br1adclJth cuta-
way Or frock coa', with trousers to match,
comfortable looking shoes always lightly
polished, while IN his hand usually swings as
he walks large, purple silk umbrella. In
| summer his costume is changed to 2 black
serge coat and trousers of some lighter color
while an easy straw hat rests lightly on his
ivory white hair
Mr. A9tur, though seldom speaking of him.
self, recently told friend tina, although he
had completed threesC)re years, he telt as
well and hearty as he did at 40 Benevo-
lence is his striking Gu racteristc. one prob
ably inherited from the fOrnder Of the Astot
Library. Many Of his charities are pub
llshtd, though the actual amount of good
done with his cver-rcady check-Uook is little
known. In neatly all the charitable nstitu-
lions OF this city the names Of himself or
wife, and often jointly, appear as large
givers. During the winter months Mr. As
TOR is either at his Office at No. 81 West
IwrnlY-sxth street, or his home at No. 33S
Fifth evenue. The after is familiar to nesr
T. eve; resident oi 18th Gyenuc, ani is COZ
spicujus for nothing but its panncss and
no c','," '.,''" '''"'"dS which surround it, 1t
is built of fine moulded brick, with trimmings
Of browns one, and has a double stairway
leading to the front entrance. The interior
compares faTorahly with any palace.
During the lat" Illness OF his wife, Mr.
Astors time was chiefly devoted to cheering
her weary hours at the bedside with the
same un'iriug affection he has shown
Throughout the many years of his married
life. His principal recrealiJns are visits to
his elegant country sent at Rheneclife.on-
thc-tludson and yachting. Tho country seat
is an ancient looking est ,biishment, kept in
the finest order, and is reminiscenc1 OF old
en- time Well shaded with trees of every
kind, its immense lawns and gardens are
traversed by long drives and walks.
Here, in the long days of the summer
months, Mr.. Aston sits on the cool piazza or
| under shady and roads He Ia
having built one OF the finest pleasure yachts
yet launched in the waters of this country,
the cost of which is placed at trde over
100000. 1t will be completed early in the
coming summer.