Augustine Corcoran 1858-1943

CORCORAN, CONMEY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 10/9/2020 at 09:45:30

15 July 1943 - The Anamosa Journal

Iowa lost one of its greatest biologists and archaeologists Wednesday, July 14, when Augustine D. Corcoran died in his home at Anamosa.

Mr. Corcoran, age 85, was known throughout the country as an expert on anthropology. He discovered the pre-historic skeletons, which he estimated to be least 15,000 years old, buried in Horse Thief cave at Wapsipinicon State park, which waa the first clue to the early cave dwellers found in this territory.

He was a life member of the State Historical society of Iowa, and the pre-historic skeletons, which he discovered and which were excavated under his supervision in 1922, are now at the museum of the State university.

Mr. Corcoran prepared an extensive report on the caves of this district for the Historical society which was later incorporated in an article published in the Iowa Journal of History and Politics, quarterly publication of that society.

Mr. Corcoran was the son of Michael D. and Abigail Whitaker Corcoran, who pioneered to Jones county from Pennsylvania, and was born in Madison township, Dec. 17, 1858.

He learned to read when only three years old, and was an extensive reader all his life. He received little formal education, but through his own efforts educated himself far beyond the usual level of college graduation.

He married Miss Anna Conmey, Jan. 24, 1905. In 1907 the couple removed to Macon county, Missouri, where they farmed until 1920.

Two children were born to the Corcorans. Wilma Abigail, now Sister Mary Irma, of Mundelein, Chicago, arrived Tuesday to be with her father. Margaret, their other daughter, died in 1925.

In Missouri Mr. Corcoran continued his archaeological studies, and his collection of 1,300 Indian arrow points and spearheads were the foundation of the Museum at Macon public library.

In 1920 the Corcorans returned to Anamosa and he devoted himself exclusively to his studies.

Mr. Corcoran has suffered from cerebral hardening of the arteries since a year ago last August. He became unconscious Tuesday morning, and died at about 8 o'clock Tuesday.