Astor

John Jacob, an American merchant, born in Waldorf, Germany, July 17, 1768. In 1783 he came to the United States intending to engage in the selling of musical instruments; but while on the voyage was induced by a fellow pa enger to engage in buyixg furs from the Indians and selling them to dealers. On reaching New York he entered the employ of a Quaker furrier, with whom he learned, the details of the trade, and then began busine on his own account. Soon afterward he became American agent for a London fur house, and, while arranging for his supplies, he opened the first wareroom for the sale of musical instruments in the United States. His succe in the fur busine led him to become the owner of a number of ve els, in which he shipped furs to London and _ brought merchandise therefrom. In furtherance of a scheme for becoming independent of the Hudson Bay Company and establishing a thoroughly American system of fur trading, he sent out expeditions to open up intercourse with the Indians on the Pacific coast, by which the present city of Astoria at_the mouth of the Columbia river in Oregon was planted in 1811. An interesting outline of his projects in this connection is given in Washington Irving’s “ Astoria.” Mr. Astor acquired large wealth, invested heavily in real estate in New York city; and at his death left a fortune estimated at $20,000,-; 000, and the sum of $400,000, with! which to found a public library in’ New York city. He died March 29,! 1848.