Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-25


 of s',spension-twentS three years. In the United States Branch bank, MT. Corcoran, in early manhood, laid the foundations of his vast financial and banking knowledge, and subsequently, he opened a brokers office on Pennsylvania avenue, west of Willard's hotel In 1855 he married Miss Louise Amory Nor riz. daughter Of Commodore Morris the distinguished naval officer Mr. Corcorans married life ended five years later with the and daughter.
 -Ai.. Corcoran's son did not long survive his mother, and his daughter, Miss Louise Cor coran, was married in 1S49 to the Hon. George Eustis, of Louisiana, and died in 1S67 leaving three children In 1S41 MT, Corcoran rnent under Daniel Webster The govern ment was at this time in the most unfavorable financial condition, and efforts to negotiate a loan had failed at home and abroad, when MT. COrcoran formed a partnership with MT. Riggs and agreed to take a government loan of S5,000,00O at 101. MT. Corcoran's entire capital at the time did not exceed $50, 0,OOO and he led the bankers and financiers of the day in audacity and patriotism. The venture was from the start success, and w. w. Cor coran from that time ranked among the worlds famous fnanciers.
 In 1S48 MT. Corcoran went to England for the purpose of persuading the capitalists of London to accept American bonds, and so
 
 tion upon his return.
 In 1850 MT. Corcoran presented to his native town the picturesque Oak Hill cemetery, on which he expended $13O,0O0. In 1874 MT. Corcoran contributed literally to the suf- ferers. from the Irish famine In 1857 he commenced the erection of the Corcoran Art Gallery, which was opened to the public in 1S72 and inaugurated on Washingtons birth day. This building and grounds cost $250,- GOO; the collection of statues and pictures, which were the nucleus of what is now to be seen there, were valued at $100,000 These treasures of art, which have been greatly added to, are practically free to the public.
 Almost contemporaneous with the gallery was the erection and endowment of the Louise home by MT. Corcoran. The building which bears that name is very beautiful one, and Is on Massachusetts avenue, between Fifteenth an Sixteenth streets, northwest. The home, which is for women of refinement and culture Who have become reduced in circumstances in their old age, was named after MT. Cor coran's deceased wife and daughter. The building and grounds cost $2OO, GOO. The home has an endowment fund of $25O,0OO
 MT. Peabody and MT. Corcoran, who might be called twin philanthropists, were on the most intimate terms for half century. The letters ill MT. >Corcoran's excellent library are of the greatest interest. One of them is from MT. Peabody when he was MT. Corco- ran's financial correspondent ill London. The latter compliments MT. Corcoran upon his urge SlLG oL IuOHey GO Iuo hungarian eXll0S
 MT. Corcoran presented the Trinidad tract to the Columbian university, to the Protest ant Orphan Asylum the site for their build ing, and to Columbia college it's medical hall His contribution toward the erection of As tension church was $S0,O0O. His donations to educational and theological institutions of the southern states have been almost equally generous.
 Ill 1854 Mir. Corccran retired from the firm of Corcoran & Riggs, and soon after made a European tour with ex-President Fillmore, during which he was the recipient sof many distinctions. His liberal acts of recent years are universally known; his supplemental gift of S2O, ,000 to Ascension church, the removal of John Howard Payne's remains and the purchase of monuments to Payne and the late Bishop Pinlney are among vast number ot generous deeds For years his private chari- ties are said to have been not less than $3, ,OOC month. He was the vichest man in the District of Columbia. In his religious faith he was an Episcopalian, and strict and zealous churchman. His gifts to the cause o1 education, religion and the care of the pool aggregated between s2,OOO, 900 and s. .0OO,O ,OOO