John Jacob ASTOR was an American businessman, real estate developer, and investor who made his fortune in the fur trade and New York City real estate. He was the first multi-millionaire in the United States and is known as the patriarch of the ASTOR family. ASTOR was born in Germany in 1763 and immigrated to the United States in 1784. He established a successful fur trading business and invested in real estate in New York City. ASTOR's wealth grew exponentially and he became one of the wealthiest people in the United States.