John Jacob ASTOR was a German-American businessman and fur trade pioneer who founded the American Fur Company in 1808. He is credited with being the first multi-millionaire in the United States and is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the early history of the country. ASTOR was a major investor in the real estate industry and was also involved in the development of the city of New York. He was an important figure in the fur trade, which was a major industry in the early 19th century.