Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-12
Sketch of the Deceased.

The head of the house OF Astor, William
Waldorf Astor, is the first of his name who
has been at all prominent in public life and
who has ventured into other domains tnan
those of commerce and society. Like his
father, John Jacob Astor he is q man OF
large physique, and, although not hand
some, of striking appearance.
Mr.. Astor was born in New York City IN
March, ls4s. His mother was Miss Gibbes.
a daughter of rich South Carolina mer-
chant, and Mr. Astor was her only child.
He is the direct lineaI descendant of the first
John Jacob Astor who founded the fortune
ofthe family. william Waldorf Astor is
the great-grandson of the original John
Jacob Astor, his father having been the
eldest son of William b. AStor, 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 William
Astor.
From boy he evinced literary tastes, and
his mothers own predictions in this d1rec-
tion strongly influenced him. He was
afforded all possible opportunities of educa-
tion, and his early years were watched over
with the most tender solicitude and affection
by both his parents. He had tutors at home,
and after a thorough preparatory course he
entered Columbia College. and then, after
completing his course there entered the
Columbia law school, where he was gradu-
ated in ls75 He studied hard both in college
and in the law school, and, although not
considered brilliant, ranked well and was
highly esteemed by his instructors and fel-
low students.
He Enters the Legal Profession.
After Leaving the Law School he entered
the law office of Lord, Day & Lord, one of
the leading firms of the city, and there &C.
r>fn hr,ci riah
rounded his education. He was never
prominent at the bar, but was chiefly en-
ployed in the preparation of cases and in
aiding his father in looking after the inter-
ests, especially from the legal side, of
the vast estate which he was later called
upon to administer. He was always an om-
niverous reader, and it was shortly after his
graduation from the Law School that he
began. with several young society friends,
the publication of small magazine. This
was issued under the auspices of small
society, also organized by Mr.. Astor and
which met at regular intervals at the houses
of its members and was called the Beefsteak
Club. For this magazine Mr.. Astor pre-
pared several articles, which, although
they had only limited and society circula-
tion, showed good thought and were highly
commended by older men who had an op-
portunity of reading ami examining the
publication.
His mothers position as the virtual leader
of New York society necessarily brought
Mr.. Astor into the midst OF the gayeties of
successive seasons. As the heir of the Astor
millions he was naturally an object of In ter
est to matchmaking mammas, but many q
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
nearsfg ghtedness also gave him the reputa-
tion OF being shy and tlmid. 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,
MIR. Astor's Career in Politics.
Early in October, 1877. Mr.. Astor was
waited upon by q deputation of Republican
friends and politicians, who urged him to
accept the nomination for the Assembly in
his district, the Eleventh. After some re-
f1ection and consultation with his parents
he decided to accept, and was unanimously
nominated on October 8, 1871 His candi-
dacy was the beginning of the custom of
young men of wealth and social 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 Astor was going to run for the
Assembly" The district being naturally a
Republican one and the name of Astor car
lying weight, it is needless to say that the
contest was not particularly difficult, and
that MIR. Astor was elected by good ma
jority.
He served his term at Albany creditably.
but his newness TO politics and lack of ex-
perience in talking on his feet did not rem
der him particularly conspicuous during the |
session. He won the approval, however, of |
his constituents and OF the public at large,
voted right from the public standpoint on |
every important question and was pro- |
nounced a success. On October l6 1873 he |
was rendered and accepted the nomination |
to the State Senate, which was followed in |
due course by his election. His experience |
in the Assembly now began to bear fruit, |
and he made an excellent record in the more /
important body.
Some time before his election to the Sen. |
ate he had ceased to be of matrimonial in
terest to New York mamInas, it having been |
reserved to a Philadelphia matron and her |
daughter to bear away the prize. One of |
the most prominent families in the society
OF the Quaker City were the Pauls and the |
daughter, Miss Mary Paul, who made her
debut in the Centennial year. both from her
1am1ly's position and her own beauty be-
Phlladeiphia and tile bride of Mr. Astor in
1871. Three children we're born to Mr. and
Mrs, Astor-two bows and a girI-the eldest
OF whom, William Waldorf, is now about u
years old.
He Fails to Enter Congress.
In 1880 Mr.. Astor was nominated for Con-
gress. His opponent on the Democratic side
was Philip Henry Dugro. and although the
district was largely Democratic and COM
little money was spent, on one
side at least. so firmly established was Mr..
Astor's reputation and SO energetic was his
canvass that he was only defeated by a mar.
row maJority of ia votes. The de:eat was
go nearly victory that he was the more
willing to tempt fate again and enter the
contest in the succeeding autumn, which he
did in the Ninth District, being nominated