The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-30
II.

10 iuloLeHtiuk UoCuubo IL ulSDeIS o0m0 mleCO0.
ceptions which have long been current Tho
facts ms they are recited in this volume are as
follows: John Jacob Aston was born II 1863,
In the village Of Waldorf. near Heidelberg in
tho grand duchy Of Baden. He as the son Of
poor peasant. and the first years Of his life
wete passed in poverty and privaton. At
the age OF sixteen he left his father and
made up his mind to Join an elder brother
who had settled some years before in Lon
don and who subse luently became the head
OF the musical instrument warehouse Of Aston
Brentwood. The boy. John Jacob set out
on foot for the Rhine. worked his pas
sage down that river on q timber raft
and on arriving In London obtained
employment at his brothers factory. Here he
remained three years. acquiring tho English
language aud putting by some scanty savings
Tor the time when he should be abie to realize
project upon which his thoughts were fixed,
that OF removing to America In November.
1888. he embarked at Southampton. taking
stock OF flutes and other musical instruments.
which wore to be sold at a profit. Upon rench-
Ing New York no found his brother. Henry
Astor. In possession Of a considerable fortune,
acquired by supplying the British garrison,
and a'terward the ment dealers of the city with
cattle brought in herds from tho Interior
John jacob Astor soon applied himself to the
fur trade 10 which his attention had been d.
rected ny fellow countryman. and in which
large fortunes were being amassed. He en-
tereo upon this new occupation with so much
vGor that Mt the end Of Ten years he had d.
verted the most profitable markets from his
competitors. and was at the head OF business
branching to Albany, Buffalo Platteburgh. and
Detroit Finding that London was better
market for furs than New York no chartered
vessel. sold cargo to great advantage ana
returned with AQt0r K Rroai ipCt
Taught by this experience he bought ships
and engaged In tho China trade. sending ves-
sells around the world on each cruise, carry
Ing furs 10 England. English manufac.
lures to Canon. and thence return
inG to New York with tea. No.with.
standing the immense proportions which his
business had now acquired he personally
superintendent every part OF it. and gave alton
ton to the minutest details. From tho open.
Ing OF the present century Aston began invest.
ing the profits OF his commercial ventures in
real estate upon Manhattan Island. He bought
meadows and farms in the tract which the
growth OF the city seemed likely to follow,
trusting to time to multiply their wealth. His
Rrentest enterprise was. OF course, the settle-
ment OF Astoria at the mouth Of the Columbia
River. Tho British Northwest Fur Company
oppo-ed him to the utmost. driving away his
agents and buyers and claiming exclusive
EiHntS 10 mo Iur Trade OF the Pacific. In the
Taco OF great diflcultios. however, the sta.
lion OF Astoria was maintained for four
years. and treaty was made BY
As'or's son-in law. BENTON. with Count
Paronoff. acting on behalf Of tho Russian
Government The establishment and main
tenance OF the Astoria settlement brought
Asor into frequent correspondence with tho
leading American statesmen OF the time, He
also evinccd keen relish for the society of
men OF letters; indeed. q desire for informa.
ton marked every rerlod OF his life. At nm ad.
v"nced ago he acquired the French Language,
learning to speak and write It fuently. Re.
solved that his son. William b. Astor, should
have the education which no had lacked, he
sent him TO tho University Of Gottingen, then
very unusual proceeding for an American.
The biographies OF william 7. Coleman and
s'ephrn y. Field are carefully and sympa hsti-
cally written. but rs the subjects OF tbem arc
still living the rropriety OF Including them in
WORK OF this character Is questionable.