St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-06

athletic in build, Of ruddy complexion.
His sole facial adornment is small
yellow mustache. For many years,
wheE in the city, it has been his Gus
tom to walk with his father to the lat
ter's place of business,in West twenty
sixth street, fIOm his house at Fifth ave-
nue. and Thirty-thrd street, and some-
times further down town, and the pair
were so regular in their appearance
morning after morning that many per-
sons residing or in business along the
TouteIof their mornings promenade al
most unconsciously contracted the habit
of setting their watches by the AStorS.
Mr.. Aston was born in this city III
March, 1913. and is in consequence al
most forty-two years old. His mother
was Mrs. Gibbs, daughter OF rlch
South Carolina merchant anu Mr.. Astor
was her only child. IleiS the direct lin
cal descendent of the first John Jacob
Astor, who founded the fortunes of the
family, and whose romantic and adj
VenturouS career has become a twice
told tale to the American public. W Ill
lam Waldorf AStor is a great grandson
of the original John Jacob Astor, his
father having been the eldest son OF
William B. ASt0r. who in turn was the
eldest son of the family's founder. The
only remaining member of the second
generation of the AstOr family IS Will
lam AStOr, who is now abroad, ana VINO
is the husband of Mrs. William Astor,
who, since the death of her Slster-in-
law, Mrs. John Jacob AaStor, has been
the leader of New York society.
and his mothers own productions III
this direction strongly Influenced him.
He was afforded all possible opportuni-
ties for education, and his early years
were watched over with the most ten
der solicitude and affection by both his
parents. He had tutors at home, and
after thorough preparatory course he
entered Colombia college, and then,
after completing his course there, he
entered the Columbia law school, where
he was graduated in 1875. He studied
hard. both in college and in the law
school, and, although not considered
brilliant. ranked well and was highly
esteemed 10y his instructors and fellow
students.
After leaving the law school he Ell
tered the law Office of Lord, Day "
Lord, one OF the leading firms of the
city and there acquired knowledge OF
office business which rounded his edu-
cation. He was never promlnentat the
bar. but was chiefly employed i'll the
preparation of cases and i'll aiding his
father in looking after the interests,
especially from the legal side, of the
vast estate which he has now been
called upon to adminiStrate. He
was always an omniverouS reader,
pnd it was shortly after his
graduation from the law school that he
began, with several young society
frinds- the publication of small maya
zine. This was issued under the aus
Oices of a small society, also organized
by Mr.. Aston, and which met at regular
intervals at the houses of its members,
and was called the Beefsteak club. For
this magazine Mr.. Astor prepared sew
cral articles, which. although they had
only limited and society circulation,
showed good thought, and were highly
commended by older men, who bad an
opportunity of reading and examining
the publication.
His mothers position. as the virtual
leader of New York society necessarily
brought Mr.. Astor into the midst of the
Eayeties of successive seasons. AS the
heir of the Astor millions he was nat
urally an object of interest to match
making mammaS. but many trap
spread for him with the greatest care
failed to secure him as prize. He was
not over fond Of society. and his height
made him appear somewhat awkward,
while his near-sightedneSS also gave
him the reputation Of being shy and
timid. He was not a graceful dancer,
and seldom attempted the waltz, much
less the more energetic polka, preferring
always conversation with some man
friend or some older woman.
SO the years passed by, and early in
October. 1877, Mr.. Astor was waited
upon by deputation of Republican
friends and politicians, who urged him
to accept the nomination for the assem-
bly, iii his district, the Eleventh. After
some reflection and consultation with
his parents he decided to accept, and
was unanimously nominated on OctO-
Der 3, 1877. His candidacy was the
beginning of the custom of young
men of wealth and position in
New York going into politics. Up to
that time it had been considered not
quite the thing, and for days after his
nomination the clubs were stirred by
the announcement that willie Aston
was going to run for the assembly,
The district beng naturally a Repub
lican one and the name of Astor carry.
ing a weight. it is needless to say that
the contest was not particularly difficult
and that Mr.. Astor was elected by 6
good majority.
He served his term at Albany credit
ably. but his neWneSS to politics anC
lack of experience in talking on his feel
lid not render him particularly conspic
nous during the session. He won the
approval, however, of his constituent:
and of the public at large, voted righ
from the public standpoint ON every I'M
portant question. and was pronounced
4 success. On October 16, 1879
he was rendered and accepted
the nomination to the state
senate. which was followed in due