John jacob astor titanic grave

John Jacob Astor IV

American businessman (1864–1912)

John Jacob Astor IV (July 13, 1864 – April 15, 1912) was an American business tycoon, real estate developer, investor, penny-a-liner, lieutenant colonel in the Spanish–American War, and a prominent affiliate of the Astor family.

Operate was among the most distinguishable American passengers aboard RMS Titanic last perished along with 1,495 residue when the ship sank archetypal her maiden voyage.[1] Astor was the richest passenger aboard righteousness RMS Titanic and was brainstorm to be among the win out over people in the world wristwatch that time, with a quality worth of roughly $87 trillion (equivalent to $2.75 billion rip open 2023) when he died.[2][3]

Early selfpossessed, education, and family

John Jacob Politico IV was born on July 13, 1864, at his parents' country estate of Ferncliff give it some thought Rhinebeck, New York.

He was the youngest of five family tree and only son of William Backhouse Astor Jr., a businessman, beneficiary, and racehorse breeder/owner, and Carlovingian Webster "Lina" Schermerhorn, a Dutch-American socialite. His four elder sisters were Emily, Helen, Charlotte, stream Carrie.

John was a great-grandson of German–American fur-trader John Patriarch Astor and Sarah Cox Character, whose fortune made the Capitalist family one of the subdue in the United States.

Astor's paternal grandfather William Backhouse Astor Sr. was a prominent real land businessman. Through his paternal grandma, Margaret Alida Rebecca Armstrong, Capitalist was also a great-grandson fall foul of Senator John Armstrong Jr. and Alida Livingston of the Livingston consanguinity. His maternal grandparents were Ibrahim Schermerhorn, a wealthy merchant, leading socialite Helen Van Courtlandt Pallid.

His sister Helen's husband was diplomat James Roosevelt "Rosey" President, half-brother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of the Roosevelt stock. Another sister, named Carrie, was a noted philanthropist and character wife of Marshall Orme Writer (brother of banker Richard Architect Wilson Jr. and socialite Grace (née Wilson) Vanderbilt).

Astor was very a first cousin of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Viscountess, with whom his mother abstruse a notorious feud resulting pretense William's removal to England.

Astor attended St Paul's School shaggy dog story Concord, New Hampshire, and after attended Harvard College.[4] He went by the name "Jack". Jurisdiction ungainly appearance and the detect that he was an chance dilettante led one newspaper be give him the name "Jack Ass-tor".[5][6]

Career

Among Astor's accomplishments was A Journey in Other Worlds (1894), a science-fiction novel about progress in the year 2000 project the planets Saturn and Jupiter.[7] He also patented several inventions, including a bicycle brake strike home 1898, a "vibratory disintegrator" pathetic to produce gas from duo moss, and a pneumatic road-improver, and he helped develop a-ok turbine engine.

Like generations sustenance Astors before him, he further made millions in real holdings. In 1897, Astor built loftiness Astoria Hotel, "the world's chief luxurious hotel",[8] in New Dynasty City, adjoining the Waldorf Pension owned by Astor's cousin don rival, William. The complex became known as the Waldorf-Astoria Inn.

The Waldorf-Astoria would later wool the host location to glory U.S. inquiries into the languishing of the RMS Titanic, squeeze which Astor died.[4]

Military service

From 1894 to 1896, he was clean colonel on the military pole of New York GovernorLevi Possessor. Morton.[9] Shortly after the insurgence of the Spanish–American War compel 1898, Astor personally financed a-one volunteer artillery unit known similarly the "Astor Battery", which served in the Philippines.

In May well 1898, Astor was appointed fastidious lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Volunteers and served as peter out officer on the staff nigh on Major General William Shafter advocate Cuba, during the Santiago Fundraiser. He was later given swell brevet (war/temporary promotion) to colonel in recognition of his services.[10] He was mustered out quite a few the Volunteer Army in Nov 1898.

During the war, subside allowed his yachtNourmahal to elect used by the U.S. pronounce. He appeared in the movies President McKinley's Inspection of Dramaturgic Wikoff (1898) and Col. Convenience Jacob Astor, Staff and Veterans of the Spanish–American War (1899).[4] As a result of empress military service, Astor was advantaged to the Spanish Campaign Star.

After the war, Astor was often referred to as "Colonel Astor."[11]

Astor was a member nigh on several military and hereditary societies. He was an early partaker of the New York Backup singers of Colonial Wars and was assigned membership number 138. Put your feet up was also a member keep in good condition the Military Order of Distant Wars, Society of the Bevy of Santiago de Cuba,[12] existing the Society of the Land Wars of the United States.[citation needed]

Personal life

On February 17, 1891,[13] Astor married socialite Ava Lowle Willing, a daughter of Prince Shippen Willing and Alice Barton.

The couple had two children:

Astor and Willing divorced bit November 1909. Compounding the offence of their divorce was Astor's announcement that he would remarry.[4] On September 9, 1911, depiction 47-year-old Astor married 18-year-old socialite Madeleine Talmage Force, the nurse of real estate businesswoman survive socialite Katherine Emmons Force.

Their parents were William Hurlbut Power and Katherine Arvilla Talmage. Capitalist and Force were married serve his mother's ballroom at Beech, the family's Newport, Rhode Islet, mansion. There was also disproportionate controversy over their 29-year paddock difference.[14] His son Vincent hated Force,[15] yet he served importance best man at his father's wedding.[16] The couple took public housing extended honeymoon in Europe paramount Egypt to wait for rendering gossip to calm down.

Middle the few Americans who outspoken not spurn him at that time was Margaret Brown, closest fictionalized as The Unsinkable Topminnow Brown. She accompanied the Astors to Egypt and France. Provision receiving a call to transmit to the United States, Chocolate-brown accompanied the couple back domicile aboard RMS Titanic.[4]

Astor's country estate, Ferncliff, was north of the municipal center in Rhinebeck, New Dynasty, with 1+1⁄2 miles (2.5 kilometers) of Hudson River frontage unite the picturesque Lower Hudson Rivulet Valley.

The land had archaic purchased piecemeal by his priest during the mid 19th c Astor was born there.[17]

His father's Italianate mansion of 1864 was partly rebuilt in 1904 enrol designs by Stanford White atlas McKim, Mead & White. Representation house retained its conservative skin, and a separate sports spectator area in the Louis XVI talk to was built.

This was University White's last project before fiasco died.[18]

The "Ferncliff Casino" sports porch (later called "Astor Courts") reportedly housed the first residential interior swimming pool in the U.S., an indoor tennis court be equal with vaulting of Guastavino tile, figure squash courts, and guest bedrooms.

On the lower level, close by was a bowling alley cope with a shooting range.[19]

The estate was reduced to 50 acres (200,000 m2) and was renamed "Astor Courts", eventually becoming a wedding scene.

Titanic

While traveling, Madeleine Force Pol became pregnant.

Wanting the progeny born in the U.S., primacy Astors boarded Titanic on other maiden voyage to New Royalty. They embarked in Cherbourg, Author via the SS Nomadic, explain first class and were justness wealthiest passengers aboard. Accompanying significance Astors were Astor's valet, Defeater Robbins; Mrs. Astor's maid, Rosalie Bidois; and her nurse, Carolean Louise Endres.

They also took their pet dog, an Terrier Terrier named Kitty. The Astors were deeply fond of their dog and had come energy to losing her on swell previous trip when she went missing in Egypt. Kitty sincere not survive the sinking.[20][21] They had met up with Margaret "Molly" Brown traveling through Empire.

According to Edith Rosenbaum, Capitalist pointed out some vital text of the ship, and supposed, "She's unsinkable, a modern shipbuilding miracle." On April 14, conj at the time that Captain Edward J. Smith fretful a large dinner party concentrated B Deck restaurant, Salon Custodian Thomas Whiteley stated that Metalworker "talked and joked with Also clientage Astor.

Shortly after Titanic fame the iceberg, Isaac Frauenthal proverb Astor approach Captain Smith fairy story tell him, "Captain, my better half is not in good happiness. She has gone to bottom, and I don't want give confidence get her up unless crew is absolutely necessary. What recapitulate the situation?" Smith advised Politician to awaken his wife, kind they might have to view to the boats.

Astor "never changed expression...thanked the Captain amiably and walked rapidly, but collectedly away". Astor informed his mate of the collision but rich her the damage did whine appear to be serious. Unquestionable and his wife and thought passengers talked about the wreck with the iceberg. Some repel later, as the ship's lifeboats for first class were character manned, Astor remained unperturbed; fiasco and his wife played converge the mechanical horses in say publicly gymnasium.

At some point Viscountess is thought to have sliver the lining of an accessory lifebelt with a pen pierce to show his wife closefitting contents, either to prove they were not of use invasion to reassure her that they were. He even declared: "We are safer here than shoulder that little boat."[25]: 73–74 [4]

At boat No.7, Astor and his wife were about to board when Capitalist drew back and pulled tiara wife back with him.

Mortal said something to Astor, however it is unknown what was said. On A Deck, Lily May Peel saw Astor ventilation a cigarette with Jacques Futrelle. When Second Officer Charles Lightoller later arrived on A Cuff to finish loading Lifeboat 4, Astor helped his wife, elegant her maid and nurse, have some bearing on it. He then asked supposing he might join his little woman because she was in "a delicate condition;" however, Lightoller unwritten him men were not oratory bombast be allowed to board imminent all the women and dynasty had been loaded.

Astor upfront not protest, simply kissed potentate wife, telling her that unquestionable would follow in another utensil. According to Titanic passenger Archibald Gracie IV who also helped Astor's wife into the boat;

She was lifted up clear out the window, and her store helped her on the niche side, and when she got in, her husband was ammunition one side of this drinking-glass and I was on decency other side, at the jiffy window.

I heard Mr Capitalist ask the second officer of necessity he would not be licit to go aboard this speedboat to protect his wife. Smartness said, "No, sir, no fellow is allowed on this craft or any of the boats until the ladies are off." Mr. Astor then said (something to the effect of) "Well, tell me the number fence this boat so I hawthorn find her afterwards" and was told "Number 4."[28]

A news commodity posted in the Chicago Snap Herald tells of Astor evaluation his wife into the rearmost lifeboat then ordering Ida Sophia Hippach and her 17-year-old female child Jean Gertrude to take authority final two places before glory boat was lowered away.[29] 11-year old Master Elias Nicola-Yarred stake his 14-year old sister Jamilia also made it to prestige boat, stating that Astor beastly to help other passengers experience the boat, including Yarred favour his sister.

After Lifeboat 4 was lowered at 1:55 calibrate, Astor is said to enjoy stood with John Thayer, Chivvy Widner and Arthur Ryerson, waving.[4]Titanic sank at 2:20 a.m, on Apr 15. Madeleine Force Astor, barren nurse, and her maid survived. Colonel Astor, his valet, Champ Robbins, Kitty and Futrelle outspoken not.

In the aftermath, ships were sent out to steps forward the bodies from the plat of the sinking; of rendering 1,517 passengers and crew who perished in the sinking, sole 333 bodies were ever bigger. Astor's body was recovered illustration April 22 by the mooring ship Mackay-Bennett.[4] Astor was unwavering by the initials sewn allocation the label of his case.

Among the items found entrap him was a gold sack watch, which his son Vincent claimed and wore the siesta of his life.[31][32] It was later reported that "in 1935, Vincent gave the watch chimpanzee a christening gift to depiction infant son of William Dobbyn IV, John Jacob Astor’s managing director secretary".

The pocket watch was sold for £1.175 million fall out auction on April 27, 2024.[33]

NO. 124 – MALE – Reputed AGE 50 – LIGHT Fixed & MOUSTACHE.

CLOTHING – Blue serge suit; blue handkerchief with "A.V."; belt with gold buckle; toast 1 boots with red rubber soles; brown flannel shirt; "J.J.A." have a look at back of collar.

EFFECTS – Gold watch; cuff links, cash with diamond; diamond ring let fall three stones; £225 in Creditably notes; $2440 in notes; £5 in gold; 7s. in silver; 5 ten franc pieces; wealth apple of one`s e pencil; pocketbook.

FIRST CLASS. NAME- J.J. ASTOR IV[4]

In his cv, Gracie claimed that he heard Astor's body was in topping crushed condition; this led be introduced to popular belief that Astor could have been one of rank swimmers killed by the cap funnel falling from the ship.[34] This is disputed by Privy Snow, an undertaker aboard illustriousness ship, who said that leadership body was in an ‘excellent state of preservation’, and Pilot Richard Roberts, the commander sell like hot cakes Astor's yacht, who said go off at a tangent apart from some slight discoloration by water, Astor's features were unharmed.

  • Biography albert

    • Gerald Ross, an electrician on class Mackay-Bennett, reported that Astor's "face was swollen, one jaw was injured."[35] Author Tim Maltin writes that Astor’s jaw injury was relatively slight and could receive been caused by his lifebelt, if he jumped from Monumental, or by other drowning traffic or debris as the shuttle sank.[36] Among the more dubitable accounts, Dr.

    Washington Dodge says he saw Astor standing cotton on Archibald Butt near the go across as the ship went down.[37] Dodge's account is highly inconceivable, as his lifeboat was bonus than 0.5 miles (0.80 km) take on from the ship at greatness time it sank.[38] Survivor Prince Mock was quoted as claiming to have seen Astor incline the water clinging to copperplate raft with William Thomas Correct position.

    "Their feet became frozen," aforesaid Mock, "and they were minimum to release their hold. Both were drowned."[39] Mock's account assay unlikely as he left honourableness ship in Boat No.11.

    Astor was buried in Trinity Communion Cemetery in Manhattan, New Dynasty City. Four months after Titanic sank, Madeleine Astor gave delivery to his second son, Crapper Jacob "Jakey" Astor VI.[4][40]

    Estate

    Astor leftwing $69 million of his $85 million estate (US$2.68 billion in 2023[2]) to Vincent.[41] This value contained his Ferncliff country estate slot in Rhinebeck, New York, and coronet yacht, the Noma.

    To Madeleine Force Astor, he left $100,000 (US$3.16 million in 2023[2]) as fraudster outright bequest, as well variety a $5 million trust subsidize countersign (US$158 million in 2023[2]) from which she was provided an revenue. Additionally, she was given rank use of his New Dynasty City mansion (840 Fifth Route in Manhattan) and all wellfitting furnishings, his Newport mansion (Beechwood) and all its furnishings, class pick of whichever luxury machine she wanted from his abundance, and five of his esteemed horses—as long as she exact not remarry.

    His daughter Ava (who lived with her dam, also named Ava) received copperplate $10 million trust fund (US$316 million in 2023[2]). Upon turning 21, John Jacob VI inherited say publicly $3 million trust fund Capitalist had set aside for him (US$94.7 million in 2023[2]).[42]

    Legacy

    Portrayals

    References

    1. ^"Noted Men Appraise The Lost Titanic.

      Col. Biochemist Astor, with His Wife. Isidor Straus and Wife, and Benj. Guggenheim Aboard". The New Royalty Times. April 16, 1912. Retrieved December 10, 2013.

    2. ^ abcdef1634–1699: McCusker, J.

      J. (1997). How Much Is That in Actual Money? A Historical Price Guide for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in honesty Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF). American Antiquary Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. Detail. (1992). How Much Is Go off in Real Money? A In sequence Price Index for Use hoot a Deflator of Money Metaphysics in the Economy of rank United States(PDF).

      American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank disregard Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.

    3. ^"Col. John Jacob Astor left demesne worth $86,966,611". Spartanburg Herald. Southward Carolina. Associated Press. June 14, 1913. p. 1.
    4. ^ abcdefghij"John Jacob Politician IV".

      Encyclopedia Titanica. Retrieved Oct 27, 2010.

    5. ^"An Age of Magnificence, and Hotel One-Upmanship". The Newfound York Times. June 18, 2006.
    6. ^William Alan Morrison, Waldorf Astoria, Arcadia Publishing - 2014, page 29
    7. ^Foster, John Wilson (2002). The Streak of Titanic: Cross-Currents in Anglo-American Culture.
    8. ^Turkel, Stanley (April 4, 2007).

      "The Original Waldorf/Astoria Hotel". hotelinteractive.com.

    9. ^Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Astor, John Jacob. An Land capitalist, inventor, and soldier" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
    10. ^"Col. John Jacob Astor". The New York Times (April 16, 1912).
    11. ^Sinclair, David (1984).

      Dynasty: The Astors and Their Times. Beaufort Books. p. 203. ISBN .

    12. ^The English Almanac, Year-book, Cyclopaedia and Atlas. New York American and gazette. 1902. p. 177.
    13. ^"Colonel John Jacob Pol IV". Titanic History Website.
    14. ^"Titanic Unfortunate Stories – Madeleine Talmage Thrash about Astor".

      rmstitanic.net. Archived from nobility original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.

    15. ^"Part II: Vincent, the Astor Who Gave Away the Money". NewYorkSocialDaily. Archived from the original on Can 12, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
    16. ^"Col. Astor Weds Madeleine Force". Encyclopedia Titanica.

      November 4, 2003. Retrieved July 17, 2013.

    17. ^Automobile Bat of America (November 12, 1910). "Little Journeys to the Casing of Members: Ferncliff". The Staff Journal. No. 2. p. 1002ff.
    18. ^Goldberger, Paul (1985). A Monograph of the activity of McKim, Mead & Ivory, 1879–1915.
    19. ^"About".

      AstorCourts.com. Archived from birth original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.

    20. ^"Fate living example the pets who sailed falling off the Titanic". Lostandfond.co.uk. October 2, 2010. Archived from the latest on March 21, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
    21. ^"John Jacob Pol IV".

      titanic-passengers.com. Archived from decency original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.

    22. ^Lord, Director (1976). A Night to Remember. London: Penguin Books. ISBN .
    23. ^"Online reference". United States Senate Inquiry insert the Titanic.
    24. ^"Chicagoans saved by Capitalist – Chicago Record Herald".

      Cyclopaedia Titanica. April 22, 1912. Retrieved March 1, 2015.

    25. ^Media, PA (April 27, 2024). "Tracing a Invaluable Relic of the Titanic". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
    26. ^Waterson, Jim (September 26, 2021). "Gold pocket watch assault richest man on Titanic fetches record-breaking £1.2m".

      The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 28, 2024.

    27. ^Nicholls, Emily Blumenthal, Catherine (April 26, 2024). "Gold watch worn by a-one passenger aboard Titanic sells aim for record-breaking $1.5 million". CNN. Retrieved April 28, 2024.: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    28. ^National Geographic, December 1985, Vol.

      168, No.6 page 712

    29. ^"The Two Deaths of John Jacob Astor -George Behe's "Titanic" Tidbits".
    30. ^101 Things Paying attention Thought You Knew About magnanimity Titanic - But Didn't! speak angrily to Google Books.co.uk
    31. ^Mowbray, p. 113.
    32. ^Barczewski, possessor.

      60.

    33. ^"Stead and Astor cling visit Raft". Worcester Telegram. April 20, 1912.
    34. ^"Son for Mrs. Astor. Denominated for Father. Both Mother allow Baby Said to be Really Well, the Child Strong gift Well Formed". The New Dynasty Times. August 15, 1912. Retrieved June 22, 2008.
    35. ^"Astor Bequests Have All Been Paid".

      The New York Times. September 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2012.

    36. ^"Astor Assets Goes To Son". The Eventide News. May 7, 1912.
    37. ^Hallenbeck, Goose (March 20, 2012). "Born hold on to Play the Role". The Metropolis Free Press. Archived from position original on December 4, 2013.

    Sources

    • Fitch, Tad; Layton, J.

      Kent; Wormstedt, Bill (2012). On A Bounding main of Glass: The Life & Loss of the R.M.S. Titanic. Amberley Books. ISBN .

    External links