The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-09-08
The Peabody OF Washington.

ANS" RE
W. Corcoran, the Washington banker
and philanthropist:
The name of William Wilson Corco-
ran, like that of George Peabody, whose
intimate personal friend he was, will 60
down to posterity as that of one of the
greatest benefactors to his race to which
the American republic has given birth.
His father, Thomas Corcoran, emigrated
from Ireland. and came to this country
in 1888. He settled at Georgetown
while Washington was a country gen.
tleman at Mount Vernon, before he was
called to the presidency. His son Will
liam was born at Georgetown, Decem-
Der 81, 1898, and, after receiving the
meager education which vas available
in those early times, was placed in a
humble position in a dry goods store.
He soon attracted the attention Of Cen
eral John Mason, the president of the
Georgetown bank, who gave him a pc.
sition as clerk in the bank. He proved
an apt student in the science Of finance,
and. after servingthree years in Mason's
bank, was transferred to the branch
bank of the United States. which was
opposite the Treasury building. Here
he gained the confidence Of the president
so thoroughly, that, upon the suspen-
sion of the Georgetown bank, he was
delegated to dispose of the real estate
which the United States bank, rs q
creditor, was obliged otake. He served
with great efficiency in the United States
bank until the final dissolution OF that
institution. ,
simultaneously with the endowment
6 khn ~ no lloru Of NUochIn ntNn MIR
Corcoran erected and endowed the
Louise Home" by an expenditure OF
$500, 900. The home is named after his
deceased wife and daughter, and is for
the use Of " ladies who have seen bette
days" In this beautiful retreat from
the storms of ill-fortune forty ladies find
a delightful home. Among them are
widows of naval officers, of eminent
clergymen, and of lawyers, with daugh-
tiers Of prominent merchants Of q former
generation, and of planters, orphaned
and made homeless by the late civil
war. The home is in Massachusetts
avenue, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth
streets.
Since 1865, when he returned from
Europe. Mr.. Corcoran's life has teen de-
voted to giving Ct his wealth 10 the
needy. His donations to the University
of Virginia amount to $4,000 and he
has also given largely TO the College OF
William and Mary, the Virginia mill
tary institute, Washington and Lee uni.
versity, and the Virginia theological
seminary of the Episcopal church. 1t
is estimated that in the last ten years ne
has given at least S3,00O,OOO tor the
heneft IF his fpllow-men.
Mr.. Corcoran las not been actively
engaged in any business since his re-
tirementf from the banking house ofCor.,
coran & Riggs, in 1854. He has lived
to acquire 4 fortune, enjoy it, distrib-
ute it, and make his peace with all
ranks and parties Of men. lie IS a
man of genial disposition, and has al
ways been q welcome addition to any
society. At his hospitable table in
Washington presidents and their cabl-
nets have been entertained, and visitors
to the city have evinced quite as much
eagerness to penetrate to his house as to
enjoy the hospi; atty Of the executive
mansion. In appearance he is large and
straight, %corpulent, out not grossly so.
He has a beautifully clear skin, fine
liquid eyes, and luxuriant white hair,
which covers every part Of his head.
He dresses like q gentleman in polite
life, carries q gold-headed cane, and al
WAYS wears gloves in the street. He
has the reputation of being the ncatest
old man in Washington.