Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1912 — SEA MADE FORTUNE [ARTICLE]

SEA MADE FORTUNE

Yet Head of Astor Family Stood in Terror of Ocean. '» During Storm, After John Jacob Became Multi-Millionaire, Offered Captain of Vessel SIO,OOO to Be Put Ashore. New York. —It is recalled that John Jacob Astor, the great-grandfather of Col. John Jacob Astor, who went down with the Titanic, twice escaped shipwreck and that the fortunes of the great house were, really laid on board, the vessel In which the German lad sailed to America. In September, 1783, Astor, who was destined to become the richest man In the new world, was working In London for his brother George, the proprietor of a flute factory. He had tolled in the factory for two years and at the end of that time was the possessor of 15 guineas and two suits of clothes. When the news came that Benjamin Franklin and his associates in Paris had at last signed the treaty which completed the independence of the United States young Astor determined to seek his fortunes in the new land.

That early sailing tpok two months in fair weather, and the vessel in which Astor was a passenger encountered very rough winds, so that it was the middle of January before she reached Chesapeake bay. There, as far as the eye could see, was nothing but ice. Within a day’s sail of Baltimore the vessel became locked in the ice. Some of the passengers were able to walk out on the ice and reach the shore, but young Astor declared that as the owner of the ship had contracted to land him \n Baltimore and lodge him In the interval, he would remain on board. —„„„ One of his companions was an elderly German who was returning to America after a visit to his native land. He and his young countryman became quite friendly, and it was from this chance acquaintance that Astor learned about the money to be made in the fur business. The elder man had been a penniless immigrant himself, but had made a fortune out of furs, and did not hesitate to give young Astor many pointers that later on were invaluable to him. His second notable adventure with the sea was half a century later. He had been in Austria and had spent three years with his daughter, who

had married Count Rumph, and was on his way home in consequence of the panic that had been caused by President Jackson’s attack upon the Bank of the United States. At this time Astor was worth $40,000,000 and was the richest man in the United States. He reached the boat shortly before she left Havre and Induced the captain to give up his stateroom for his use. No sooner had the vessel cleared the port, however, than Astor, who. had been so eager to embark, wanted to be set ashore. It was arranged that he would be sent back the next day, but the wind changed and the vessel got out into the Atlantic. In a couple of days she was driven back near the coast of Ireland and the terrified millionaire offered SIO,OOO if the captain would put back with him. The captain refused, because of the dangers of the Irish coast. This was the last time John Jacob Astor went to sea, though he lived 14 years after.