John Jacob Astor It seems that John Jacob Astor's appetite for new real estate is insatiable. His desire for wealth and his entrepreneurial spirit have helped him gobble up many thousands of dollars' worth of New-York's undeveloped land. From 1800 to 1815 alone, Mr. Astor invested $695,000 and sold property worth approximately $200,000. Indeed, as a result of his fur-trading business and his real-estate holdings, John Jacob Astor is well on his way to becoming the wealthiest man in America. An impressive achievement for a German immigrant who, about forty years ago, arrived in the city almost penniless. Members of New-York's upper crust, while dazzled by Mr. Astor's assets, are less impressed with his manners. One of New-York's elite, who wishes to remain anonymous, described his habits as "uncouth . . . and that's putting it mildly." Illustration: portrait by Alonzo Chappel, courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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