Astor, John Jacob, 1763-1848

John Jacob Astor organized the American Fur Company in 1808, and the Pacific Fur Company in 1810. In the spring of 1811 he established a post at Astoria on the Columbia River, but sold it to British interests in 1813. By 1817 Astor had gained control of all the Mississippi Valley posts of the Northwest and Southwest Companies. The Columbia Fur Company, one of Astor's major competitors, was absorbed in 1827. By 1834 Astor tired of the fur business and sold all of his interests.

From the description of Letters, 1814. (Eastern Washington State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42688065

Fur trader and financier.

From the description of John Jacob Astor papers, 1792-1835. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449903

John Jacob Astor organized the American Fur Company in 1808 and the Pacific Fur Company in 1810. In the spring of 1811 he established a post at Astoria on the Columbia River, but sold it to British interests in 1813. By 1817 Astor had gained control of all the Mississippi Valley posts of the Northwest and Southwest Companies. The Columbia Fur Company, one of Astor’s major competitors, was absorbed in 1827. By 1834 Astor tired of the fur business and sold all of his interests.

From the guide to the John Jacob Astor Letters, 1814, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)

German-American fur trader and financier.

From the description of Letter to James Barbour [manuscript], 1827 January 2. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647823410

For information on the Astors see an encyclopedia. Boggs was born in 1796 in Ky. He served with the Ky. Volunteers in the War of 1812. In 1816 Boggs moved to Mo. where he was involved with the St. Louis fur trade. Boggs was elected Legislator for several terms, beginning in 1826. He also served as Lt. Gov. for 4 years (1832); Gov. for 4 years (1836); and then as a state senator. In 1846 Boggs moved to Calif. where he died in 1860. His administration was known for the "Mormon wars" during which Boggs expelled Mormons from the state. A resulting assassination attempt on Boggs failed. (Information from the Encyc. of the history of Mo., p. 311, v. 1.) No information is available on Glover.

From the description of Certificate, 1837,1846. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 46654661

Born in Waldorf, near Heidelberg, Germany, July 17, 1763 ; came to Baltimore, 1783, to sell musical instruments ; established in New York in fur business ; in 1800 he possessed $250,000 ; began shipping furs to Europe in his own vessels ; founded the Astor library ; his fortune at his death was approximately $20,000,000. Died in New York, March 29, 1848. (from Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography) (Blue index cards)

From the description of John Jacob Astor correspondence, 1802-1836. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 317401672

John Jacob Astor was born in July 17, 1763 in Germany and died in 1848 in New York.

From the guide to the John Jacob Astor collection, 1811-1932, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

Merchant, fur trader, capitalist. Born in Waldorf in Germany. Came to United States in 1784, settling in New York. Engaged in fur trading and China trade. Organized American Fur Company in 1808 and Pacific Fur Company in 1810. Established Astoria on the northwest coast in 1811. Gradually built up extensive holdings in New York real estate. From 1834 until his death in 1848 Astor was interested exclusively in investments and lending money on real estate security. See sketch in Dictionary of American Biography.

From the description of Business records, 1784-1892 (inclusive), 1809-1848 (bulk) [microform]. (Harvard Business School). WorldCat record id: 269587302

From the guide to the John Jacob Astor business records, (inclusive), (bulk)., 1784-1892, 1809-1848, (Baker Library, Harvard Business School)

American fur merchant and capitalist who captured the fur trade of the United States.

From the description of Letter, ca. 1820?. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122535875

Born in Waldorf, Germany, John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) immigrated to the United States in 1784 and became a successful fur trader and real estate dealer in New York City. In 1785, he married Sarah Todd, with whom he had five children. Astor established the American Fur Company in 1808, which exported furs from the Great Lakes and Canada to Europe. In the early 1800s, Astor began purchasing and developing land on Manhattan Island. At the time of his death in 1848, he was the wealthiest person in the United States.

Source: “John Jacob Astor Biography.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. Accessed August 2, 2011. http://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Astor-John-Jacob.html.

From the guide to the John Jacob Astor Collection 2011-203., 1798-1799, 1816, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)

Fur trade entrepreneur, founder of the American Fur Company.

Astor established the Western Department of the American Fur Company in St. Louis in 1822. In 1834, Pratte, Chouteau and Company (in which Pierre Chouteau was a partner) purchased the Western Department from Astor, who was leaving the business.

From the description of Letters, 1822-1834. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 36150230

John Jacob Astor was born in July 17, 1763 in Germany and died in 1848 in New York.

Astor was a major fur trader and merchant. He established the American Fur Company in 1808 and later the Pacific Fur Company and Southwest Fur Company with trading posts across the country. He established Astoria, Oregon in 1811 and he eventually sold it to the British. He monopolized the fur trade until 1834 when he retired from the fur business.

From the description of John Jacob Astor collection [manuscripts], 1811-1932. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 675116802