The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-02-29

ly formed partnership with his elder
brother. The little business enterprise
failed, however, in 1924. Mr.. w. w. Cor
coran, however, twenty three years after
ward, having become prosperous banker,
paid in full, with interest, all the indebted
ness of the old firm.
In 1887 Mr.. Corcoran formed the bank
ing house of Corcoran ~ Riggs. Two
years before this Nh. Corcoran married
Louise Amory Morris, the daughter Of
Commodore Charles Morris, lady Of
marked personal charms and accomplish
ments. Mrs. Corcoran dice in 1910. at the
age of 90.
In 1852 Mr.. Corcoran, having acquired
large fortune, retired from the banking
house of Corcoran IL Riggs and devoted
himself to philanthropy. The list of his
charities and his benefactions to public in
stitutions is a long one. Mr.. Corcoran has
been beneficent patron OF art and edu-
cation. The Corcoran Art Gallery, begun
in 1859, cost 5000, 900. Before the struct-
ure was finished the war broke out Mr..
Corcoran went to Europe, preferring, it
is said, residence abroad during his de-
clinlng years to remaining here in the
midst of civil strife. His absence, however,
was construed as hostile to the Govern
ment. The Corcoran Art Gallery building
was seized and occupied during the war
by the quartermaster- generals Office. Mr..
Corcoran's house would likewise have been
confscated, but the French minister pro-
tected it, claiming that he had rented 1t.
After the war, Mr.. Corcoran having re-
turned, the art gallery was completed. Mr..
Corcoran placed in it his own private art
collections, valued at $100,000, endowed
the institution with 100000, and formally
presented it to the public on Washington's
birthday, 1872. Since then he has bought
from his private purse and presented to
the gallery many notable paintings and
sculptures. The gallery has, from it's
munifcent endowment, an income of
$4,000 year. Mr.. Corcoran, about the
same time erected and endowed the Louise
home for ladies who have seen better days
Upon this institution he expended abou
$500,000.
Mr.. Corcoran's domestic life was sad
dened by the early death of his wife, and
afterward by the death OF his daughter,
soon after she entered upon womanhood.
In later years, however, his home has been
frightened by the presence Of his grand
children, and the little circle about him
has been happy one. His immediate
family consists of two grandsons, one %,
the other 20 years OF age, and a grand
daughter 20 years old. These grandchii-
dren have lived with Mr.. Corcoran, hav-
ing been reared under the care of an aunt.
Miss Eustis He has nephew who is o
planter in Arkansas, and a niece who is
married to Mr.. @. N. Thorn. Another
niece is married to Mr.. e. M. Matthews,
and there is another, Miss Jones, who is
at present member of his household. Mr..
Corcoran's nephew married daughter Of
Senator Beck. Mr.. Corcorans sister, Ell
len Corcoran, married the Rev. Stephen
p. Hill. She died in May, 1879.
Mr.. Corcoran knew John Howard Payne,
the poet, we'll during the time that GENTLE
man lived in Washington, and, it is said,
formed project years ago to have his re-
mains brought home to his native land.
The immediate cause of his action, how
ever, has a little touch Of romance in it.
As Mr., Corcoran was riding past one of the
city hotels one day in the autumn of 1882,
his ears were greeted with the
strains of "Home, Sweet Home" played
by the Marine Band, in honor of the sur
vivors of the arctic vessel Jeanette, who
had just returned TO Washington. AS Mr..
Corcoran listened to the air be resolved to
carry into effect at once the project he had
formed years before. After some corre-
spondence with the Secretary Of State and
with the only surviving relatives of the poet
the body was exhumed from its grave in
Tunis and shipped to New York, where IL
arrived March 20, 1883. From there it was
brought to Washington, and buried in Oak
Hill Cemetery, June 8, 1883.