In 1837, he established a brokerage firm on Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street in Wasgington, D,C. and was very successful. Corcoran entered into a partnership with George Washington Riggs as the firm of Corcoran and Riggs (taken over by PNC Bank recently). . In 1845, they bought the United States Bank.
With his fortune made, William retired in 1854 and devoted himself to collecting art and philanthropy.
It was around this time that Simon Sommers starting working for him, taking care of his considerable land interests out west.
Since William Corcoran was so wealthy and lived through the Civil War, I'm sure he must have had some role in it, but Wikipedia did not mention it.
--Old Secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Simon L. Sommers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simon L. Sommers. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Charles A. Newton, CSN?
Simon Sommers married Margaret Newton, the daughter of Charles A. Newton. He was listed as being formerly in the U.S. Navy. Since the marriage took place in 1863, when Sommers were in the service of the Confederacy, I have to assume it was in the South. Perhaps Charles Newton had offered his services to the Confederate Navy, which always was in need of people with experience?
I did come across the name of a Charles A. Newton who was an Acting Master in the CSN at the Richmond Station and is listed as dying 11 August 1862.
I was unable to find out any more information on him.
--Old Secesh
I did come across the name of a Charles A. Newton who was an Acting Master in the CSN at the Richmond Station and is listed as dying 11 August 1862.
I was unable to find out any more information on him.
--Old Secesh
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 4 War Service and Return to Virginia
Simon Sommers became an Assistant Engineer in the Confederate Corps of Engineers, receiving his commission in 1864 after serving two years in the Corps in the defense of Petersburg and Lynchburg.
He returned to Arlington County in the early 20th century and died there on November 13, 1913. He was buried with the other Southerners in the Confederate Section of Arlington National Cemetery.
His wife Margaret died January 29, 1923, and is buried alongside him.
--Old Secesh
He returned to Arlington County in the early 20th century and died there on November 13, 1913. He was buried with the other Southerners in the Confederate Section of Arlington National Cemetery.
His wife Margaret died January 29, 1923, and is buried alongside him.
--Old Secesh
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 3: From Virginia to Illinois
During the remainder of the war, Simon Sommers was in the South and served as a civil assistant engineer. He married Margaret Maria Newton on March 17, 1863. She was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Ann A. Newton, formerly of the U.S. Navy.
In July 1865, he was reappointed as land agent for William W. Corcoran and went to Macomb, Illinois where he resided for many years. While there, he and Margaret had 7 children, six of whom survived. He was a Master Mason of the Macomb Lodge No. 17 and served five years as a member of the town's board of education.
--Old Secesh
In July 1865, he was reappointed as land agent for William W. Corcoran and went to Macomb, Illinois where he resided for many years. While there, he and Margaret had 7 children, six of whom survived. He was a Master Mason of the Macomb Lodge No. 17 and served five years as a member of the town's board of education.
--Old Secesh
Monday, November 3, 2014
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 2: Early Life and Confederate Service
In 1844, Simon Sommers became a school teacher and taught in Charles County, Md., and Montgomery County, Ala., until 1847 when he returned to Alexandria County. He remained there until 1855 serving as a county surveyor.
In 1855, he became an agent and attorney for W.W. Corcoran of Washington, D.C., and came west to look after his employer's vast land interests. He continued in this capacity until December 1859 when he returned to Virginia.
He strongly espoused the Southern cause in the tense years leading up to the Civil War. In the spring of 1861, he raised a company of soldiers and was elected captain. But, before they could be mustered into service, the company was captured at their homes by Union troops.
The company was disbanded. At the time of the capture, Simon was at Fairfax Court House and was not captured.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
In 1855, he became an agent and attorney for W.W. Corcoran of Washington, D.C., and came west to look after his employer's vast land interests. He continued in this capacity until December 1859 when he returned to Virginia.
He strongly espoused the Southern cause in the tense years leading up to the Civil War. In the spring of 1861, he raised a company of soldiers and was elected captain. But, before they could be mustered into service, the company was captured at their homes by Union troops.
The company was disbanded. At the time of the capture, Simon was at Fairfax Court House and was not captured.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
Simon L. Sommers-- Part 1: Confederate Engineer and School Board Member in Macomb, Illinois
From the Macomb County, Illinois Genealogy.
The subject of my previous post, Simon Lafayette Sommers, was from Virginia, but somehow ended up living in Macomb, Illinois, after the war and then was buried at Arlington National Cemetery back in Virginia. I was wondering how he came to be in Illinois so did some more research and after awhile came across this nice account of his life.
He was born October 23, 1823, in Alexandria County, Virginia. His father was John A. Sommers who was a civil engineer with the Chesapaeke & Ohio Canal. His grandfather was Simon Sommers, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
His mother was Sussana Young, daughter of Abram Young whose farm was located about a mile east of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.. The government purchased his farm and laid out lots, streets, avenues and reservations and deeded 1/3 of the lots to him in consideration.
Young Simon Sommers, at age 16, went to an academy in Farquier County, Virginia, for four years.
--Old Secesh
The subject of my previous post, Simon Lafayette Sommers, was from Virginia, but somehow ended up living in Macomb, Illinois, after the war and then was buried at Arlington National Cemetery back in Virginia. I was wondering how he came to be in Illinois so did some more research and after awhile came across this nice account of his life.
He was born October 23, 1823, in Alexandria County, Virginia. His father was John A. Sommers who was a civil engineer with the Chesapaeke & Ohio Canal. His grandfather was Simon Sommers, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
His mother was Sussana Young, daughter of Abram Young whose farm was located about a mile east of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.. The government purchased his farm and laid out lots, streets, avenues and reservations and deeded 1/3 of the lots to him in consideration.
Young Simon Sommers, at age 16, went to an academy in Farquier County, Virginia, for four years.
--Old Secesh
Confederates Buried ar Arlington National Cemetery: Simon L. Sommers
SIMON L. SOMMERS, Captain on Engineers born in Virginia in 1824. In 1880, he was living in Macomb, Illinois where all six of his daughters were born. He was listed as a real estate agent. Died on November 13, 1913, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery alongside his wife Margaret M. who died Jan. 29, 1923.
From the Arlington National Cemetery site.
--Old Secesh
From the Arlington National Cemetery site.
--Old Secesh
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