Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/182

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\IRGIXIA BIOGRAPHY

the Presbyterian church, south, from 1861 to 1865; as stated clerk from 1865 to 1899, and as moderator in the year 1879. Rev. Dr. Wilson married Jessie Woodrow, a native of Scotland, daughter of Thomas and Marion (Williamson) Woodrow, and a de- scendant of the Rev. Thomas Woodrow, the ecclesiastical historian of Scotland, in whose honor the Woodrow Historical So- ciety of Scotland was named. The Wood- row family has alwa3's been a distinguished one and stands high in the literary and church life of Scotland. He was the father of President \\'oodrow Wilson.

Thompson, John Reuben, a noted literary man of his time, was born in Richmond. Virginia, October 23, 1823; attended the private schools of his native city, and the University of Virginia, which he entered in 1840, pursued the academic and law courses, graduated in 1844 with the degree of Bach- elor of Law; settled in Richmond: in 1847 became the editor of the "Southern Liter- ary Messenger:" in 1834 went to Europe, during which time he wrote for the "JNIes- senger :" upon his return went to Augusta. Georgia, while there edited the "Southern Field and Fireside ;" upon the outbreak of the civil war he was much interested in the welfare of the Confederacy ; in 1863 went abroad, combining some diplomatic mission with his literar}- work: lived in London and constantly contributed to the English re- views; after the war returned home and became one of the literary editors of the New York "Evening Post;" his writirgs were characterized by a tenderness and pur- ity of style which made them charming, and he was among the most popular writers of his time ; among the notable poems which

he wrote were : "The Burial of Latane" and "The Death of Stuart;" he died in the city of New York, April 30. 1873.

Corcoran, William Wilson, born in Georgetown, D. C., December 27, 1798, son of Thomas Corcoran and Hannah Lemmon, his wife. His father was a native of Lime- rick, Ireland, who came to America in 1783, and settled in Georgetown, where he was magistrate and postmaster, and was a trus- tee of the Georgetovi'n College. Air. Cor- coran was educated in private schools and at Georgetown College. At the age of sev- enteen he commenced his commercial career in association with his two older brothers, \\ ho were engaged in an extensive dry goods and wholesale auction and coinmission busi- ness. In a time of great financial distress, 1823. the firm failed and made a compro- mise on a basis of fifty cents on the dol- lar. At a later date Mr. Corcoran dis- charged the debts of this concern at the full figure. From 1822 to 1836 he managed the large real estate interests in the District of Columbia held by the United States Bank and the Bank of Columbia, and in 1837 he opened a general banking and brokerage business in Washington. After three years, George W. Riggs was admitted to partner- ship, and the firm of Corcoran & Riggs rap- idly acquired a business of enormous pro- portions, accepting during times of war, a large proportion of the government loans. At one period in the Mexican war when the concern had negotiated government loans to the extent of twelve million ilollars. a falling market reduced the value below the iiriginal rate at which the loan had been taken. .\s Riggs had withdrawn from the partnership. Mr. Corcoran sailed for