John Jacob Astor left Madeleine — who gave birth to their son John Jacob Astor VI that August — $100,000 (worth over $2.75 million today), his home on Fifth Avenue, and a $5 million trust fund.

However, most of his money went to his first son, Vincent (pictured), from his first marriage. John Jacob Astor VI received only a small portion of his father's fortune, but Vincent went on to donate ...

JOHN JACOB ASTOR—Arthur D. Howden Smith—Lippincott ($3.50). The Man. He was the first to say: “The first hundred thousand—that was hard to get, but afterwards it was easy to make more.” ...