The Freemason Story of John Jacob Astor; Richest Man in the World - S2 E 90a

The Freemason Story of John Jacob Astor; Richest Man in the World - S2 E 90a

John Jacob Astor's childhood was far from lavish. He received only a rudimentary education and started working in his father's butcher shop at a young age. However, young John was not content with a life confined to the small village.

At the age of 16, he left home and ventured to London, where he worked as a musical instrument maker's apprentice, learning the intricacies of commerce and trade. In 1784, Astor set sail for America, arriving in Baltimore with just a few dollars in his pocket and a burning ambition to succeed.

He initially started by trading furs, capitalizing on the burgeoning fur trade in the American West. Astor's keen business acumen and shrewd investments soon propelled him to success. He established the American Fur Company in 1808, which became one of the largest fur trading companies in the country, with trading posts stretching from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest.

Astor's business empire expanded beyond fur trading. He invested heavily in New York City real estate, acquiring vast tracts of land and building iconic structures such as the Astor House hotel. His ventures in the fur trade, real estate, and other industries amassed him a fortune that made him one of the wealthiest individuals in America. As John Jacob Astor's business empire flourished, he found himself entrenched in the competitive landscape of New York City's elite. One notable aspect of his life was his relationship, or rather lack thereof, with the Vanderbilt family.

The Vanderbilts, led by the ambitious Cornelius Vanderbilt, were rising stars in the world of transportation and shipping, posing a formidable challenge to Astor's dominance in New York's business circles. Astor, known for his astute business sense and strategic maneuvering, viewed the Vanderbilts with a mixture of caution and disdain. He perceived them as upstarts, newcomers attempting to disrupt the established order that he had worked so hard to build. Despite their growing influence and wealth, Astor shunned any overtures of collaboration or alliance with the Vanderbilt family.

The rift between Astor and the Vanderbilts deepened as the two families competed for control over various industries, including transportation, real estate, and finance. Astor, ever the shrewd businessman, employed tactics to thwart the Vanderbilts' ambitions, whether through strategic investments, political maneuvering, or outright competition. The animosity between the Astors and the Vanderbilts became a hallmark of New York's social and economic landscape during the 19th century. While the Vanderbilts sought to challenge Astor's dominance, Astor remained steadfast in his determination to maintain his position as one of the city's preeminent figures.

Despite their rivalry, both families left a lasting legacy on New York City and the wider world. The Astor name became synonymous with wealth and influence, while the Vanderbilts established themselves as titans of industry and transportation. Yet, the enmity between these two prominent families serves as a reminder of the fierce competition and intrigue that defined the Gilded Age of American history. John Jacob Astor was also known for his involvement in Freemasonry, a fraternal organization that emphasized moral and spiritual development.

Astor belonged to the Freemasons, a fraternal order, and served as Master of Holland Lodge #8, New York City in 1788. Later he served as Grand Treasurer for the Grand Lodge of New York. He was also the president of the German Society of the City of New York from 1837 to 1841. In his later years, Astor focused on philanthropy, endowing numerous charitable causes and institutions. However, his life was not without tragedy. He suffered personal losses, including the deaths of several children and his beloved wife, Sarah Todd. Despite these hardships, Astor remained resilient, continuing to pursue his business interests and philanthropic endeavors.

On March 29th 1848, John Jacob Astor passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that would endure for generations.

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Old Fashion Masonic Podcast, any Grand Lodge or Shrine Center, and we encourage viewers to conduct their research and form their conclusions based on reliable sources and personal beliefs.

We get these questions often: What does the mysterious secret society of Freemasons actually do? Does this episode expose freemasonry and masonry? What about The New Order and The Illuminati? Is there a whole Secret world of Freemasons?

We'll let the listeners answer that for themselves.

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