This is an Original and Authentic portion of a letter signed by Astor — it is 100% genuine and original. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John Jacob Astor III. New York City, New York. February 22, 1890 (aged 67). New York City, New York, U. Patriarch of the English branch of the Astor family. Charlotte Augusta Gibbes m. William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor. William Backhouse Astor, Sr. Margaret Alida Rebecca Armstrong. (June 10, 1822 – February 22, 1890) was an American financier, philanthropist and a soldier during the American Civil War. He was a prominent member of the Astor family. Becoming the wealthiest family member in his generation and the founder of their English branch. Family & Early life. Astor was the eldest son of real estate businessman William Backhouse Astor, Sr. His younger brother, businessman William Backhouse Astor, Jr. John Astor studied at Columbia University. And the University of Göttingen. Following which he went to Harvard Law School. He practiced law for a year, to qualify for assisting in the management of his family’s immense estate, one half of which later descended to him. It was based on his paternal grandfather’s. Achieving a monopoly in the lucrative fur trade in the early nineteenth century. Astor was elected lieutenant colonel. Of the 12th Regiment of the New York Militia. He resigned from the office in 1853. During the American Civil War. Astor served as a volunteer aide-de-camp. With the rank of colonel, to Major General. Then commanding general of the U. Army from November 30, 1861 to July 11, 1862. In recognition of his services during the Peninsular Campaign. As a brigadier general. Of Volunteers in March 1865. In 1880 he became a companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. A military society of officers who had served in the Union armed forces. He was assigned insignia number 1909. He regarded his Civil War service as the best of his life and attended the reunions of the Loyal Legion. In business, Astor dabbled in railroad. Investment, but was outsmarted by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. His principal business interest was the vast Astor Estate real estate holdings in New York City. Which he managed profitably and parsimoniously. Astor was married on December 9, 1846 at Trinity Church. In New York City. To Charlotte Augusta Gibbes (February 27, 1825 – December 12, 1887) of South Carolina. Daughter of Thomas Stanyarne Gibbes, Jr. And Susan Annette Vanden Heuvel. They had one son, William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor. (March 31, 1848-October 18, 1919). In 1859 he built a home at 350 Fifth Avenue. Today the street address of the Empire State Building. Later, he had an imposing vacation home, Beaulieu, built in Newport, Rhode Island. And he had a country estate, Nuits. In Irvington, New York. John Jacob Astor III donated objects and funds to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He and his brother presented Trinity Church. With a memorial to their father: a sculptured reredos. He also gave generously to the New York Cancer Hospital. He took an active interest in the Astor Library beyond funding. He was treasurer of its board of trustees, and in 1879 deeded to it the three lots on which the northern wing of the present building was later constructed by him. He presented it with his collection of early books and rare manuscripts. His deeply religious wife Charlotte supported the newly formed Children’s Aid Society. And sat on the board of the Women’s Hospital of New York, an institution that to her dismay refused to accept cancer patients. S first wing, the Astor Pavilion. For twenty years, she supported a German industrial school. From 1872 until her death, she was a manager of the Woman’s Hospital, besides taking an active part in the Niobrara League to aid the Indians and in many other charities. John Jacob III increasingly visited London. In his later years. Moved there permanently with his family in 1891 and became a citizen in 1899 where he was later made a peer. John Jacob Astor III died on February 22, 1890 and was interred in the Trinity Church Cemetery. All of my auctions are guaranteed original and authentic forever!!! This item is in the category “Collectibles\Autographs\Historical”. The seller is “jaygould” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.