New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-27
WILLIAM ASTOR DEAD.
THE END CAME IN PARIS-SKETCH OF HIS
CAREER

assigned in the dispatches received by his son. John
Jacob Astor, heart failure and congestion of the
lungs II was believed that he caught cold which
developed into pneumonia Later dispatches said that
the immediate of his death was rupture of an
aneurism Mrs: Astor was with him at The time OF
his death. No intimaton had been received by his
children In this city that he was sat all ndispOsed.
With Mrs. Aston lie sailed for Europe in December
last and 1t understood that he intended to spend
the year there No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral The body will be embalmed to-day
and saturday will be placed on board steamer
which will bring 1t to New-York.
Mr.. and Mrs. VI. Orme Wilson, the son n-law and
daughter Of AIR. Astor, travelling with him and
will undoubtedly return with Mrs. Aston. Another
daughter, Mrs. J. Coleman Drayton, is also In Europe
The other children are In NewYork. Mr.. Astor was
In perfect health when he left Now York Almost the
only sickness that he ever had trouble with his
throat several years ago, which led him to spend his
winters in Florida and afterward in the South of
France. friend of the family said yesterday that the
recent troubles Of the family had affected him deeply
and most probably undermined his constitution.
William Astor the head Of the younger branch
Of the Astor family. being the grandson the original
John Jacob Asor JON Jacob Aston, who died on
March 20, las, left two William b. AStor and
John Jacob Aston. The latter met with an accident
eally in life and always lived In retirement. VIII
lam b. Aston died Oh November "a. 1873. His three
sons were John Jacob Asor William Astor and Henry
Astor. The latter has always led the life of coun
Try gentleman and has a handsome house at Copake.
Columbia County. The other two brothers lived In
the two houses which occupied the block between
Thrtythird and Thirty fourth stS. on the west side
Of Fifth-ave. John Jacob died December %, 1859,
leaving the bulk of his estate to his son, William Wal
dorf Aston.
william Aston was the second son of William b.
Astor and a daughter of General Armstrong. who
Secretary Of War in the Cabinet Of President Madison
lie born In this city July II, 1880, was
graduated from Columbia College in 1919 and stood
near the head OF his class. His father, who was Il
man of deep scholarship. having studied under Che
vaor Won Bunsen, in Germany, meant that his sons
should have good an education himself, and
william sent for a long journey through Egypt
and the East. As result Of the trip he always re
tained intense interest in Oriental art and liter
AZURE.
Mr.. Astor on September %, 1863 married Miss
Caroline Schermerhom. the daughter Of Abraham
schermerhor, of New York. whose wife. Mrs schermcr
horn, had boon an old friend of william b. Astor.
They have had five children. The eldest was Emily.
the wife OF James J. Van Allen, OF Newport. She
died in 1881, leaving son and two daughters, WHO
are still young children The others are Helen, the
wife OF James Roosevelt Roosevelt Charlotte Augusta,
the wife of james Coleman Drayton Caroline Schermer
horn tho wife Of NJ. Orme Wilson, and John Jacob
Aston. Young John jacob Astor married Miss Ava
Willing, OF Philadelphia, year ago last February, ana
they have one SON. whose name is William.
Immediately after his marriage William AstOr entered
his fathers office and devoted himself 10 helping
age tho vast estates of the family He remained there
until his fathers death Since then he has devoted
himself 10 the care OF his own property. lie never
held public Office and greatly preferred to live In
urement His position led him much into society and
his vile was one Of Its leaders. His tastes however,
ran much to sports, yachting, hcrsebrceding and
farming shortly after 1870 Mr.. Aston turned his
attention to ncing and for time bred horses at
Ferncliife, the Hudson. where lie had large farm
and extensive stables The most noted OF his horses
WAS Baden Baden Mr.. Aston won several stakes. and
after taking an active and prominent part on the
American turf withdrew his horses from the track and
kept them only for breeding.
AS yachtsman Mr.. Aston cared not for speed, but
for comfort and built his vessels with that end in
view He once owned the yacht AmbaSsadress. Ills
steam yacht Nourmahal Is now lying at the
Erie Basin preparing for the season. 1t
Is one OF the largest and most luxurious in the world
About twenty years ago Mr. Astor began 10 make trips
TO Florida and invested largely In lana at JACKSON
VILE and other parts Of the state lie was president
of the railroad that from ST. Augustine 10 Toeo on
tho ST. Johns River
william Aston followed the business methods Of his
father and brother but devoted himself much less
strictly TO money making than did either Of them.
lie had his Office with his brother, at the old Astor
headquarters in Pincest, just west Of Broadway until
about fourteen years ago, when the two built oiccs
side BY side at Nos. 21 and % West Twenty sixtist
There they each had corps OF clerks under The diiec
ton OF manager, who looked a er the details OF their
estates But there was ono bronch Of his affairs that
William Astor never allowed even his most confidential
agent to have anything 10 do with Tha, was his
charity. Of this he made business, giving IN sys-
tematic way and seeing that his money accomplished
what IL meant TO do. lie took special Interest III
carrying out his fathers wishes In regard TO many
charities, but what these and how much he spent
ha al he q
kept private bank account for this purpose and
secret Of books. When the project for the Cathedral
Of 81. John the Divine started. Mr. Astor became
greatly interested in 1t and subscribed 100000 70 the
Cathedral fund lie disliked publicity. and generally
refused 20 allow his to be put forward as the
promoter OF works TO which he had given much In
secret
Mr. Astor was known TO his friends as a man Of
most genial nature and kindly impulses but one
who much preferred his home TO society and freedom
TO the t-ammels which his position imposed. The only
club TO which he belonged the New-York Club.
friend yesterday In trying TO describe him fell I'M
consciously into the words which Mathew Arnold held
TO be the best description given OF Thomas Grav
lie never spoke out" lie passed n typical mill
ionaire; he much more the retiring cultivated
gentleman. At the rear OF his house was large
picture gallery filed with valuable paintings, mostly
Of the French school. These Mr. Astor began 10 col
iect shortly after his fathers death OF late years
however, he had not purchased largely.
At the time OF his death he was about TO
take another step I'm the march uptown.
Business had invaded Fifth-ave In the
neighborhood Of Thirty -fourthst.. and made the
bic square brick house IN which lie lived longer
particularly desirable for residence. When his
trothcr dod and his nephew, William Waldorf Aston,
tore down the companion to his home and began the
erection OF the great hotel beside ii, that settled Mr.
Astor's intention TO lie having plans
drawn for handsome residence, to be built at
Fifty ffth-s, and Ffthave., ard he expected 10 be
able IN occupy it in couple Of Years. Mr. Astor's
vile \ described rs a woman Of great ability who
while devoted TO society, has also been able 10 give
surprising amount Of attention 10 business affairs.
Her entertainments have among the brilliant