SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Hon. Charles A. Corbett, Page 648

HON. CHARLES A. CORBETT, a retired merchant of Greenbush, and an early settler of that town, is a native of the Green Mountain State, his birth having occurred November 21, 1840, in the town of Benson, Rutland County.  He is a son of Peter and Melinda (Adams) Corbett.  His father was born in the State of New York, March 8, 1798, and was married January 6, 1824, to Melinda Adams, who was a native of the same county as her son, who was born July 4, 1802.  Their children numbered eleven.  Sylvester, born August 28, 1824, married May M. Kellogg, and resides in Park City, Mont.; James, born April 11, 1826, wedded Cindarilla Barrager, and died May 31, 1893; William Henry, who was born March 21, 1828, married Lavina D. Pettit, and lives in Peshtigo, Wis.; John, born March 29, 1830, died February 26, 1857; Silas, born March 6, 1832, died July 11, 1833; Sarah A., born March 13, 1834, is the widow of Capt. Charles Barrager, and resides in Crete, Neb.; Mary Jane, born July 5, 1836, became the wife of Joshua Rouse, and died October 24, 1860; Jerome, born November 5, 1838, married Helen L. Grinnell, and died February 19, 1879; Charles A., born November 21, 1840, wedded Mary J. Lewis, and resides in the village of Greenbush; Lester M., born April 1, 1843, married Annie E. Pettit, and is a farmer of the town of Greenbush; Alexander, born February 6, 1846, chose for a companion Helen Fusselman, and also resides in Greenbush Village.

    Mr. Corbett, the father of this family, removed to Wisconsin in 1855, settling in the town of Greenbush, Sheboygan County, where he was engaged in farming until the close of his life.  His wife died March 18, 1879, and his death occurred on the 25th of June, 1882.  He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in political faith he was a Republican.  Both were highly respected members of society.

    Charles A. Corbett came to this county with his parents, being then fifteen years old.  he was reared on a farm, and educated in the public schools, finishing with a course at the Spencerian Business College at Milwaukee.  On the breaking out of the late war, he was in his twenty-first year.  On the 1st of June, 1861, he enlisted for three years in Company B, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry.  He was in active service from the start, and participated in the following-named battles:  Corinth, Iuka, New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Jackson, Miss.; the siege and capture of Vicksburg; the battle of Farmington; and through the Red River Expedition.  On the 6th of June, 1864, at the battle of Lake Chicoch, Ark., he received a gunshot wound in the right knee, on account of which he suffered two amputations above the knee.  However, he continued in the service until November 22, 1865, when he was mustered out.

    On his return from the army, Mr. Corbett took a course at the Spencerian Business College at Milwaukee, after which he built a store in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac County.  This was in 1867, and that year the postoffice of Banner was established at his trading-place.  It was through his influence that the office was established, and he was appointed its first Postmaster.  The following year he sold out his store, and returned to the village of Greenbush, where he opened a general store in company with his brother Jerome.  Mr. Corbett continued merchandising for some fifteen years.  In 1882 he retired from mercantile business, and has since devoted his attention to his investments and other business interests.

    Mr. Corbett was married in the city of Fond du Lac, on the 23d of June, 1870, to Miss Jennie M. Lewis.  Mrs. Corbett was born in Oswego County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Benjamin and Betsey Lewis.  Her parents were natives of the Empire State, and emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Horicon, whence they came to Greenbush in 1868.  Two sons and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Corbett:  Addison A., who is a druggist's clerk in Plymouth; Carl C. and Estella, who are at home.

    In politics, Mr. Corbett is a Republican.  He has held various official positions.  He was Town Clerk of Greenbush for five years, and in 1888 was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, serving two terms in that body.  During the time he was a member of the Legislature, Mr. Corbett served on various committees, among them that of the Soldiers' Relief Fund.  In 1890 he was elected Chairman of the town of Greenbush, and by virtue of his office a member of the County Board, and has been re-elected each succeeding year to the present.  For the last fifteen years Mr. Corbett has been School Treasurer, and has been P. S. of Greenbush Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., for many years.  He is a charter member of H. C. Davidson Post No. 212, G. A. R., of Plymouth, and of which he has been commander for three terms.

    Our subject possesses superior business ability, and has been eminently successful in life.  He has proved a faithful and competent officer wherever he has been called to serve, and by his ability and mental attainments commands the respect of all with whom he has business or social relations.