Year: 1875

tnose acquired wealth Obliged to spena
much Of the time which they supposed 10 pass at
their ease


Az TWO p NJ. il was supposed that he might be found
at his place Of business in Burlng slip, and the
porter sought him there. But, though n his eighty
nfth year, he was at that hour at Cooper Institute
caring for the business interests Of that institution
from that point he had passed TO his house
and was, when the inquiry made, vending
his way TO his works Long Island, in his easy old
one-horse carnage He was at No Lexington avenue
at half past SIX seated at his library desk giving
earnest attention TO the financial aspect Of our
national troubles, and striving to shnd way
in which TO succor the suffering business
Of the day. The reporter was gracefully
welcomed The death Of Mr. Astor announced and
the object Of the visit made known. Mr.. Cooper said
the announcement Of the demise Of Mr. Astor was
news to him, though he had been meeting with many
men during the day. He was not, however, very
greatly surprised for he had heard the day before
that Mr. Astor was very ill., Inquiry then made to
wha he knew Of the deceased that would read with
interest at such time Mr. Cooper answeredt that he
thought the gentlemen OF the press like all others,
would find il difficult to ascertain much concerning Mr.
William B Astor which would be authentic and still
be OF special interest to the general public; not
that Mr. Astors life had been devoid public interest,"





care Of the vast property left to him by his father and
his uncle, and them when free from business cares his
early education had given him for books and he
spent his leisure time in his wellfurnshed library
rather than among his acquaintances To the query
TO what amount Of property Mr. Astor had become pos
sessed Of during his life Mr.. Cooper said 1t was Of
course simply impossible to estimate it with accuracy
nevertheless he felt that IT exceeded by far even
The widest estimate Of the public. Giving to it the
estimate OF value which would have been fair before
late great and very general decrease in values he
sure that 5000 600 900 would expression of it
than any other which likely TO be made by Others
than those in charge of his accounts The reporter ex
pressed surprise at tho magnitude of the named,
and Mr. Cooper responded, saying that his ownership
Of real estate was known to be enormous and even
that was larger than generally supposed Then, in
addition TO that his investments in stocks really
very great He held stocks not so much as basis for
speculation as TO draw dividends, hence his transac-
tions were not generally noted Many who have tried
TO estimate Mr.. Astors wealth, said Mr.
Cooper have forgotten even If they ever knew,
ton TO that they very apt to forget that his uncle
who was very wealthy man. left him nearly all that
he had acquired. With two really vast fortunes thus
left in his careful hands many years ago, and his
own untring effort to add TO the gross amount one
who would give the question of his wealth at the time
Of his death It's due consideration would realize
how natural 1t was that two vast fortunes carefully
handled and added to during so many years should
have grown TO an almost incalculable value


To the query as to what distinctive features of differ
ence in their characteristics marked the father John
Jacob and William b., the son. Mr.. Cooper answered
that 1t was difficult to describe them without seeming
to underrate Mr. William b. Astor. 1t necessary
to give due consideration to the widely different amos-
pheres OF business status in which


FATHER SON


found themselves in earlier years John Jacob TO
energy, with integrity and love of fair dealing Com
mencing thus and succeeding he did his progress
upward in wealth noticeable than that OF his
son, and he would, therefore, rate higher per- !,
maps, as an active, energetic business man
Then, again, the education Of William B. was
an object of great caro- and concern to his father
Nothing which could be done to give his the very
best education which it was possible for young
to acquire left undone by his father He was
educated manly in Germany, and had the best care
there which the educational institutions of that country
could afford him: He the favorite child in this
gard. The imbecile son, said Mr.. Cooper,
had q place built for his special care,
and the most intelligent and careful attendants
were provided for him until his end When asked as
to whether the deceased had shown any incna-
ton to take part In public affairs Mr. Cooper said that
dote to show instance of t:-When said he the
Prince ofWales announced as about to visit this
country our citizens desirous that Mr.. William b.
Astor should take charge of him while here and that
he was cared for with credit to this nation When ap
piled to he positively declined perform that duty
and, very kindly perhaps rolled that responsibility
over on my shoulders and executed the trust to the
best Of my feeble ability, and with what result Is
known.
ceased had given evidence of any very notable peculiar
tiles prior to his fathers death He answered that he



for any bearing John Jacob Astors family
have acquired any desirable prominence while John
Jacob lived; for, said he John Jacob continued to
entirely I'LL the public eye with his gigantic business
exploits that youth could have hoped cope with
him for public attention until he more
When John Jacob died. however, leaving William B.,
as Mr.. Lansing, who well informed Informed me,
the richest man in the world, then the influence of the
position his father left him became his own and he be-
came noted for the admirable care he took oft
How did he appear among and to his acquai ntances
was asked; and Mr. Cooper responded that he was
always retiring in his disposition great reader
OF desirable works when opportunity Afforded not
unusually free in conversation, but always greatly
respected by his acquaintances


AS TO the extent OF his donations in aid of public
charities or other works Of public benefit Mr. Cooper
said that while they may have been large he not
speak with confidence Of other than the wing he had
added to the library building which his father had
reared, and valuable additions to the library
itself
In reference TO the probable effect of Mr. Astor's
death on the real estate and stock markets. Mr. Cooper
said that he did not think IL would be per- |
ceptibe, for the reason that his affairs we're
undoubtedly left in admirable order, and his
son, another John Jacob Astor, was adni- !
raby qualified to take excellent Of all that had
been left He ntmated also that far as the public
care of the son. he felt assured that the present
ger would prove TO be very intelligent gentleman,
aud one who, while appreciating the responsibility OF
his remarkable POSITION would be liberal in his dsposi-
tion and a benefit TO his race.