Col. David Urquhart (1828-1900)
Banker, Sugar Planter & Commission Merchant, of New Orleans, Louisiana
He was born in New Orleans and was educated in France before returning to America. He was the brother-in-law of Robert Milligan McLane, Governor of Maryland and U.S. Ambassador to France, etc. Described as, "a distinguished looking man," he was owner at one time of two of the largest plantations (Cora and Annandale in Iberville Parish) in Louisiana and served with the CSA throughout the Civil War reaching the rank of Colonel. In 1855 he co-founded and later became President of the New Orleans Savings Institution. Coming frequently to New York, he was equally well-known in Newport and Paris. However, the bank failed spectacularly in the Panic of 1876, ruining him, his wife, and mother-in-law. He sold his plantation to Victor Meyer to foreclose on his mortgages as well as his townhouse. Contrary to his daughter Cora's husband, he and his wife wholeheartedly supported her decision to take to the stage and they followed her to New York and London, accompanying her on her first theatrical tour.
He married Augusta, a society belle, daughter of the hardware merchant Samuel Slocomb and aunt of Cora Slocomb, Countess di Brazza. In New Orleans, they lived in what was the Slocomb House (pictured) facing Lafayette Square, built by Mrs. Urquhart's father in 1832. After the failure of his bank, they moved to New York and London, and then spent some years in California. During the Civil War they kept a summer home (see images) in Flat Rock, North Carolina, that was previously the home of the Count de Choiseul, French Consul at Savannah, but later they spent every summer in Saratoga where he died. They had four children including two notable daughters - an author, and an actress. Both were prominent in society, and both scandalized society in their different ways. It was recalled that, "Col. Urquhart was full of reminiscences of the South and the society of other days. His favorite theme, however, was his daughter Cora, of whom he was extremely proud."
He married Augusta, a society belle, daughter of the hardware merchant Samuel Slocomb and aunt of Cora Slocomb, Countess di Brazza. In New Orleans, they lived in what was the Slocomb House (pictured) facing Lafayette Square, built by Mrs. Urquhart's father in 1832. After the failure of his bank, they moved to New York and London, and then spent some years in California. During the Civil War they kept a summer home (see images) in Flat Rock, North Carolina, that was previously the home of the Count de Choiseul, French Consul at Savannah, but later they spent every summer in Saratoga where he died. They had four children including two notable daughters - an author, and an actress. Both were prominent in society, and both scandalized society in their different ways. It was recalled that, "Col. Urquhart was full of reminiscences of the South and the society of other days. His favorite theme, however, was his daughter Cora, of whom he was extremely proud."
