Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Corbin, Royal D ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:18 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 Royal D. Corbin, numbered among the younger representatives of agricultural interests of Will county, is operating the old Corbin homestead farm, which comprises three hundred acres of well improved land. The family was founded in Will county in August, 1854, when the paternal grandparents, Peter and Eunice Corbin, who were natives of the Green Mountain state, settled at Elwood. They made the journey on the first train which ran over the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Railroad, now the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis. This was a freight train, which also carried their household effects, and as yet there was no station at Elwood. The grandfather purchased eighty acres of wild and unimproved land in Florence township, to which he later added a second eighty- acre tract, and thus became one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. His family numbered three sons and three daughters, of whom Peter Corbin, of Elwood, is the only surviving member. Royal S. Corbin, the father of our subject, was a youth of twenty years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Will county, having been born at Grand Isle, Vermont, in 1834. He assisted his father in the development of a new farm, and upon starting out upon an independent business career purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he added from time to time as his financial resources permitted, until he became possessed of three hundred acres, this constituting the fine property which is now being operated by the son. Here the father made many substantial improvements, built a fine residence, which is surrounded by many shade trees, of his planting. He likewise set out many fruit trees, which yield rich crops in their season. He was a breeder of Durham cattle, horses, and Chester White and Duroc Jersey hogs. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Jukes, and was a native of New York state, having been born in 1844. Their marriage was celebrated in Joliet, June 21, 1860, and their union was blessed with eight children, of whom seven still survive: Mary E., the wife of George Waldron; Frederick H., who wedded Henrietta Mosel; Ara L., who wedded Elizabeth Roderick; Grace B., the wife of Lawrence Miller; Bernice G., now the wife of Arthur D. Jackson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Royal D., the subject of this review; and Janet E., who resides on the homestead farm, and who is now acting as housekeeper for her brother. The father was a very public-spirited man and filled a number of public offices of honor and trust, serving as supervisor of his township for several years, while he also filled the office of school director. He gave his early political allegiance to the whig party, but after the organization of the new republican party supported its principles. He lived an honest and upright life, was a devoted husband and father, a kind neighbor and friend, so that his death, which occurred October 1, 1905, was the occasion of deep regret to all with whom he had been associated. He was seventy-one years of age when called from this life, while his wife, who passed away October 10, 1902, was fifty-eight. Royal D. Corbin is a native son of Florence township, having here been born September 23, 1881. During the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the operation of the old homestead farm, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the public schools. He was trained to the best methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits, so that at his father's death he was well fitted for assuming the large responsibilities of the operation of the homestead property. His sister, Janet E., also resides on the farm and acts as her brother's housekeeper. In addition to general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Corbin is also engaged in breeding Berkshire and Duroc Jersey hogs, and in connection with his brother-in-law, Arthur D. Jackson, breeds Norman horses, having some fine animals on his place. Mr. Corbin has followed in the political footsteps of his father, giving his loyal support to the republican party. He belongs to Union Grange, No. 1725. Having been born on the farm which has been his home continuously to the present time, the place has become endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth, as well as those of later manhood. He is well known in the community as an energetic, enterprising young man and is popular with a wide circle of friends. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/corbin2459nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb