James C. Corbin

James C. Corbin, lumberman, resident at Leroy, was born June 10, 1845, in Van Buren Co., Mich. He was left an orphan in early childhood by the death of his parents, the demise of his mother occurring when he was but two weeks old, and that of his father a few years after his birth. He was in the care of one family from the death of his mother until 1853, being then eight years old. He lived in various families until he was 17, and in the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Merrill's Cavalry, as it was known, being an independent organization, doing guard duty and being on scouting service.

Mr. Corbin was in battle only in the action at Little Rock, Ark., and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., after the war was closed in 1865. After being mustered out, he returned to Michigan and went to Holland, Ottawa County, and obtained employment during three succeeding years.

He was married Sept. 13, 1868, in Wayland, Allegan Co., Mich., to Julia A. Hill. She was born in 1850, in Grand Rapids, and died Dec. 1, 1878, in Leroy. One daughter - Hattie May - died before her mother. Burt E. is the only surviving child. Mr. Corbin was married June 26, 1881, in Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Mich., to Miss L. Meade. Mrs. Corbin was born and educated in Gratiot County.

The family came to Leroy Township in the fall of 1874. Mr. Corbin purchased 160 acres of land on section 17, and a little more than a year after he exchanged it for 80 acres located in another part of the township, of which he was the owner two years, lumbering meanwhile in the interest of Hood, Gale & Co., of Big Rapids. In the fall of 1879 he sold his farm and embarked in a drug enterprise, which he prosecuted between two and three years, selling in 1882 to his associate in the business. He then entered quite extensively into the manufacture of lumber, running a saw and planing-mill. The former establishment was burned in August, 1883, and he has since constructed an extensive business. He is independent in politics.

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