John Jacob Astor IV was born on July 13, 1864, in New York into one of the most affluent families in the world.
The first John Jacob Astor.
Stock Montage/ GettyThe Astor family dates back to the early 1700s when the original John Jacob Astor (pictured) came to the Americas from a small village in Germany to make a name for himself.
Quickly, Astor bought land all around Manhattan, becoming one of the richest men in the world and creating a dynasty.
When John Jacob Astor IV was born to William Astor and Caroline Webster Schermerhorn in 1864, the Astor name was already well-respected in high society, and the family's fortune was one of the world's largest.
Persons:
John Jacob Astor IV, John Jacob Astor, Astor, William Astor, Caroline Webster Schermerhorn
Locations:
New York, Americas, Germany, Manhattan