Sunday’s Obituary: Hugh Corcoran

Hugh Corcoran was born in Ireland and immigrated to America when he was about 14.

His obituary reads:

Hugh Corcoran, superintendent of the Lancaster gas company, died at his residence, No. 130 Water Street, yesterday afternoon (17 May 1880), after an illness of considerable duration.

Mr. Corcoran was a native of County Longford, Ireland, and came to America nearly forty years ago. Not long after his arrival in America he was employed by Patrick Brady as a laborer on the New York and Erie railroad, and for a short time subsequently he was engaged in railroad and telegraph work in the South. About 1846 he came to Lancaster, and secured the contract for trenching for the pipes of the Lancaster gas company. On the completion of the gas works he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the process of manufacturing gas, and after being employed for some time in a subordinate position he was chose as superintendent of the gas works, a position he held to the time of his death, fulfilling the duties of his office faithfully and efficiently.

Mr.Corcoran was about 54 years of age, and leaves a family of five children. He was industrious, honest and possessed a good judgment of business matters, which enabled him to acquire during his residence in Lancaster a very comfortable competence. Hus funeral will take place at 9 o’clock on Thursday morning, on which occasion high requiem mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s church.

Source:

Lancaster daily intelligencer. (Lancaster, Pa.), 18 May 1880. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress.

Sunday’s Obituary is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

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