The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-26
Telephone No. SO.
THE FOUNDER AND THE DELIvERER

THE FOUNDER AND THE )ELIVI1RER
1t Is both a singular coincidence and
a happy omen that yesterday, the day
celebrated by Astorias present popula-
tion as the beginning OF the city's dellv-
erance from the chains which have fet-
sered her development and progress, was
the anniversary OF the birrh, one hundred
and thirty-two years ago, of the city's
namesake and founder, the renowned
John Jacob Astor. The history Of this
remarkable man has such a special rela-
tion to Astoria, and the example of his
frugaIfty and business habits is so valu-
abe that a review OF 1t at this particular
time unjust be of interest and profit to all.
He was born at Waldorf, near Heidel-
berg, Germany, and was the fourth son
OF a butcher. Az 16 years Of age he Joined
an elder brother in London, where their
uncle mad piano and flute factory. The
success Of another brother, Henry, in
New York, induced John Jacob 20 try
his fortune in the United States, and
when 20 years old he sailed for Baltimore
with an invoice OF musical instruments,
to sell on commission. A fellow-voyager
having told HIM of the great profits In |
buying furs from the Indians and from
liersmen and selling them to the large
dealers, Astor learnsd the business with |
a ID,
opened a shop in Water stree:. Here ne
worked early and late, except when alb
sent on purchasing expeditions, for he |
did his own buying us well as his own |
selling. Later he went to London and |
formed connections with the fur trade
there. and also arranged an agency for
his 'uncle's firm, Astor & Broadwood, to
sdd their goods in this country. He thus
became. 1t is said, the frs regular dealer
In musical Instruments In the United
States. He married Sarah Todd, who
brought him a dowry OF $500, but her
excellent business sense and skill in the
management Of the details of the bust
ress were OF far greater value than the
cash to the young merchant. In fifteen
years. before this century closel he was
worth $2oO,OOO and felt able to live in
house separate from his shop. Next he
sent goods to England in his own ships.
He earnestly desired TO make American
trade Independent of the great English
companies, and in 1909 asked the aid of
congress In executing a grel: national
scheme, the establishment of line of
trading posts from the great lakes to
the Pacific Coast, thus carrying clvlliza-
lion into the wilderness. Tne scheme in
cluded central depot at the mouth of
the Columbia, the acquisition of one of
the Sandwich now HAwailan) Islands,
and The establishment OF a line of Ships
trading between the western shores of
America and the ports OF China and In
Ella. Two expeditions went out, one by
sand and one by sea, and In 1911 the
post Of Astoria was planted at dhe
mouth Of the Columbia, and the scheme
was well under way when the war of
1872 caused its abandonment, and he never
saw 1.-THE frultlon OF his grelt pan for
northwestern settlements; but they came
in time. His plan for Oriental trade was
however realized. His patriotism and {
faith In the country led him to buy large
ly OF national securities, at what was a
high price at the time, and his foresight
was amply justified by their doubling
In value after the war His Investments
In real estate In what were then the out
lying districts of New York City. were
long-headed, for as the city grew their
value increased enormously. At one time
he was said to own 72O houses in that
city, all of The best design and construc-
tion. s
He butt the As.or House. founded the
Agsor Library, and his gifts to IT, with !
those OF his heirs. amount to over a I
million doEars. He also founded the AS /
tor Home In his native town. at a cost
Of $4,000, making 1t an institute for cd !
ucating poor children, and an asylum for t
:he aged and needy. But 1t is reason 9
able to believe that the city which bears ,,
his name on the once distant shores OF '
the Pacific will do more TO preserve his !
name from oblivion. and will yet come to
be the proudest evid-n OF his sagacity !
and foresight known to his descendants. |
Mr. Astor died worth SO. 900, ,OOO and such l
was his business ability that the Amer ,
lean poet. Fhz Greene Haileck, who was .
for seventeen years his private secretary, \
declared he would have been successful J
IN any profession. For the last twenty Z
Ave years OF his life he retired from act n
We business. His gifts to benevolent pro- 1
ects and public work were many aud y
He is rare example of rich a
nan making a wise and generous use Of II
IIs wealth. The future Astoria viii one ?
'ay buEd two monuments to the memory !
{ ghe men who have been grea,est IN her +
issory. One Of these monuments will be Y
D John Jacob Astor, her founder, and ;
le other to A. B. Hammond who a