Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-27
DEATH OF. JOHN JACOB AsToR.
The Wealthiest Man i'm America Pass
p es Away-His Demise Sudden.

, New YORK, Feb. 22.-John Jacob AS
tor died suddenly at 4 o'clock this
morning at his residence, Thirty-third
street and Fifth avenue. His death
was unexpected by his family. q
J. When he returned on December "a
last from trip abroad he had an attack
of the grip, which, however, was not
severe. but it is thought hastened some
what his end. It did not keep him
from his regular duties, and he was
about the streets and comparatively
we'll until yesterday noon. At that
time he was in his reading room, just
having taken his lunch, when suddenly
he ...f al- :; =, s.5..i .r-. :,
|. FELL BACK BREATHLEss
upon the sofa upon which he had been
reclining. 1t was 1890 O'Clock when a
servant found him in this condition.
DIR. Morris Asche, the family physician,
was Immediately called and pro-
nounced the trouble heart disease.
The patient revived somewhat and
remained conscious, but he subsequent
ly had renewed attacks at the heart
and realized that his end was near.
Soon there gathered at his bedside his
only son, William Waldorf Astor, Mrs.
William Waldorf Astor and Miss Zella
Gibbs, the, sister-in-law of the dying
man. His only brother, William, is in
Europe. They remained at the bed
side through the night and until the
end came early this morning.
THE FUNERAL
will take place on Tuesday morning, at
10 O'Clock, from Trinity Chapel, in
Twenty-fifth street. Bishop Potter,
DIR. Morgan Dix and DIR. G. E. Swope
will officiate. It was at this chapel
that Mr.. Astor usually attended SER
vices, and he was formerly vestryman
of Trinity Church. ,... - h..
Thus passes away perhaps the richest
man in America, certainly the head OF
the wealthiest family in this country.
For over two years Mr.. Astor has not
quite been himself. In December, 1887
his wife died and from that time on
there was noticeable change in him,
She was Miss Gibbs of South Caro-.
lima. e, . gs.' Ell
! AMONG THE BENEFACTIoNs
of Mr.. Astor and his wife were princely
gifts to the Newsboys' Lodging House
and the Children's Aid Society, while
SIC, 900 was given to send street waits to
homes in the West. Schools, too, were
endowed with fortunes by Mr.. and Mrs
Astor. When Mrs. Astor died she gave
$3.50 900 alone to the skin and cancer
Hospital.
The diamonds, valued at 5000, 900
she left to Mrs. William Astor, who sue
ceeded her as the leader of New Yorh
society.
+ 1t Is coincidence that at the time o
Mrs. John, Jacob Astor's death, TIVE
years ago, Mr.. and Mrs. William AstOr
as at the present time, were abroad ant
unable to be at the bedside of the dead
John Jacob Astor was the elder son o
the late VIM. Astor and grandson of th
original John Jacob Astor, who founded
the fortunes of the family. He wa
the head of the third generation Of tn
Astor family. -
He was born about sixty-five year
ago.. In 1872 his father died, leaving
John Jacob two-thirds share of his es
tate, valued at $200,000000 During
the civil war Mr.. Astor went to tn
front and served with credit as an Aids
e-Camp to Gen. Mcclellan. He is sue
ceeded by his only son, VIM. Waldor
Astor, who was appointed Minister t.
Italy some years ago. '..