The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-14

William Wilson Corcoran, the well known
Washington philanthropist, died at the Ma
tional Capital few days ago of senile bron-
chitis, in the ninetieth year of his age. His
end was peaceful. The duration of his pres
ent illness was but two weeks, though he had
been gradually failing for the past year.
Mr.. Corcoran was born in Georgetown,
D. c., December 81 179S His father,
Thomas Corcoran, was born in Limerick,
Ireland and coming to this country in 1883,
married Hannah Lennon of Baltimore in
1885, The son at the age of IS entered into
the dry goods business with two elder
brothers. George Peabody was soon after
ward taken into the firm. They were at first
successful, but under the stress of the financial
panic of 1928 failed with assets that paid
their creditors so per cent. Several years
taking charge of the real estate in the Dis
trict Of Columbia belonging to tie United
States, managing it safely and profitably
until 1S45, when he went into the banking
business with George w. Riggs, in the build:
ing formerly occupied by the old United
States Bank at Washington. The business
was successful, but Mr.. Corcoran's financial
ventures were so extensive that Mr.. Riggs,
becoming afraid, withdrew from the firm
Mr.. Corcoran, carrying on the business
alone, found himself with ST., 600, 900 of the
Mexican war loan on his hands in a falling
market He went to London, enlisted great
banking houses there in support Of loan
that seemed perilous, but that subsequently
rose to high premium, and laid the basis of q
fortune that at the time of.his death amounted
to S6,000,000. He retired from active partici-
patton in the banking business in 1854, and
found plenty to do in the management of his
own property affairs. He bought large tracts
Of real estate in Washington, erected build
ings, increased his incomS in every direction,
and began those works of philanthropy which
will make his name remembered by the side
of his early partner, George Peabody.
Plans of benevolence Sem to have taken
years. The fruition o. some of them are
seen at Washington in the beautiful Oak Hill
Cemetery in Georgetown, the Corcoran Art
Gallery with its magnificent endow-
ment, the Louise" Home for Impov-
erished Gentlemen, the name indicating
his love and memory for wife and
daughter, both of whom are dead, countless
gifts to churches church homes, rich benefac-
tionS to colleges and universities and theologi-
cal seminaries, ceaseless contributions to in
stitut;ons Of public charity, besides thousands
of dollars given away to needy individuals. It
is estimated that Mr.. Corcoran's charities, in
cluding private ones, exceed in the aggregate
s3.OOO,06O
Mr. Corcoran had long made his home in
Washington the seat of an elegant hospital
ity and centre Of social influence, the ia
vorite meeting place of scholars, artists,
statesmen, diplomatists and distinguished
strangers.
Mr. Corcoran in 1885 married Louise
Amory Morris, daughter of Commodore
Charles Morris. Mrs. Corcoran died five
years later. Their first child, boy, died
when an infant, and an only daughter,
Louise, who married George Eustis
Ia brother of the present Senator Eustis of
louisiana, died in 1867, leaving two sons and
daughter, who will undoubtedly inherit the
bulk Of Mr.. Corcoran's fortune.