Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-27
4 PROMINENT CITIZEN GONE
Death sf Jas.es c. McGairs.

James @. Mcguire, who was at one time one OF
Washingtons most prominent and esteemed eusi-
ness men, but who mad for some years been In
feeble health, died yesterday afternoon at his
country seat near Kliicott CITY, Howard County,
Mo, In his seventy-seventh year. He leaves three
Mcclure S 81 tss sa 4 sSss, st kg
Joseph D. MCGUIRE, Of Howard county, Nd, and
one daughter, Mrs n. c. Taylor, wife Of COM
ard I. Merfick was q daughter Of thu the deceased
ne leaves large estate In this city and different
sections Of Maryland HIS remains win be brought
from hIs late RESIDENCE, No Dt si4 ssrses North.
west wednesday, at Ii O'Clock am.
SKETCH or Rm CAREHR
M. Mcclure was born In westmoreland
county. Pennsylvania, ana while he was yet
young his parents moved to Pittsburg. Pa, and
Dookoinder BY trade ana q very expert one, and
tnis TACT ne frequently mentioned with pride when
seinhe on the struggles OF his earlier years He
iouno employ ment with Jacob Gideon who had q
large book binding establishment 9th street be-
tween pennsylvania avenue and Z street and who
S Gq t .Se principal part q that kind Of wor.
few years Mr.. Mcclure took the decisive step
OF mis- nfe, and, although without money,
was immediate. He OBTAINED Government
contracts and made money rapidly. HIS place OF
business, on street. near 10th street. became the
IN the city. Subsequently he retired from that
business and became an aucttoneer Associated
with him was Mr.. Thos J. Fisher, the well-known
real estate broker, and MT. Fred. B. Mcclure, his
son. For many years they carried on the leading
auction business In the city. Nearly all transfers
der the hammer After the breaking out Of the
war Mr.. Mcclure retired from active business,
and has since devoted himself TO the care OF
ms money interests and the cultivation OF the
taste for books and paintings for which he had
always been noted. The Older citizens win re-
member his gallery Of paintings connected with
pr1n IN ha hr.fr nf
the Corcofan Art Gallery (of which he became a
member OF the board OF trustees,, his collection OF
paintings was the principal one IN The city, and It
public. Mr.. Mcclure was collector Of books,
especially those relating TO American his
sS in is Stores Of rare 0Ta5
printed volumes. He was pubc-spiriued
citizen, kind hearted, well disposed and liberal
His many friends speak OF him with affection and,
while In late yearsa younger generation has grown
up that knew him not, yet he Is recognized by his
contemporaries as a man who was always ready
give his assistance when charity was solicited.
Mr.. McGuire's wife was Miss Deakins, OF AleXan-
dria, Va. Mr.. Mcclure, although a wealthy man,
was not large owner or real estate. HIS money
was principally invested In stocks and bonds
DR. TosRR's TRIBUTE.
DR.. J. N. Toner, In speaking OF Mr. Mcclure to
day, said: "He had q natural eye for pictures
His taste In that direction lead to his own ne col.
lection, and to his being selected by Mr. Coreoran
as trustee Wneh phe Corcoran Art Gallery was
opened His knowledge Of art seemed 70 be In
stinctive. OF late years his gallery has not
fairly represented MIN. He became neglectful OF
1t, and owing, perhaps largely to his poor health,
he DID not keep up the weeding-out process, which
Is necessary TO establish any good collection. His
house and table were for many years open 20 the
many well-known artists visiting this city. The
portrait OF Mr.. Corcoran which now hangs In the
gallery was painted In Mr. McGure's gallery.
In the collection OF pictures he followed no special
line. HIS tastes were too broad and his love or art
too comprehensive He was fond OF books and
collected more than ordinarily large library.
One OF the notable books IN his library Is the cee-
DRAFTED 1923 folio edition OF Shakespeare. He has
large collection OF autographs and manuscripts
OF well-known men. His library, II arranged,
would be notable even at the present day, but
before the war IL was far In the lead Of anything In
this city. His social qualities and his acQuaint-
ance with the statesmen OF the country from 1886
TO the breaking out Of the late war WAS not ex.