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Astor, John Jacob (Merchant was born July)

merchant, was born July 17, 1763, in Germany. His occupation was the purchase of furs from the Indian tribes and the shipment of them to Europe. The greatest venture of Mr. Astor was the founding of Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia river in 1809. He planted there a fort and a settlement, in person, won the friendship of the Indian tribes, and, during his four years of control, carried on a large trade.

He also founded the Astor library of New York by his bequest of $400,000. At an early period it became necessary for Mr. Astor to employ ships of his own in exporting furs to Europe. The return of these vessels laden with merchandise led him into an extensive foreign trade.

He gradually acquired a large fleet, and his ships ploughed every ocean of the globe and carried cargoes both to and from England, Germany, France, Russia, China and America, the cargoes usually being purchased and sold on Mr. Astor's account. He died March 29, 1848, in New York city.