Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Corlett, Hon John ************************************************ 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 ddhaines@gmail.com October 3, 2007, 4:52 am Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County HON. JOHN CORLETT. During the long period of his residence in this county Mr. Corlett has been identified with the agricultural interests of Wesley Township; and, while he has made Joliet his home since 1895, he still maintains a general supervision of his farm of six hundred and seventy acres in the township named, not only overseeing the cultivation of the land, but also feeding each year about one hundred head of cattle and two hundred head of hogs. In addition to this property he is the owner of a section of land in Hamilton County, Kans. While he has given close attention to his private business affairs, he has never neglected his duty as a citizen, but has kept posted concerning the problems that confront our nation and has intelligently studied the issues of the age. He is a firm believer in Republican principles and always supports the party platform by his ballot. Frequently he has been chosen to serve in official positions of trust, and in these he has invariably proved himself efficient and faithful. During the twelve years he served as highway commissioner he greatly improved the roads of the township and was instrumental in securing the building of the dry run. For two terms he held the office of supervisor and for some years served as a school director. His party, in 1890, nominated him to represent the district in the state legislature and he received a good majority at election. During his term of service occurred the memorable John M. Palmer battle, when for three months he voted every day. As a member of the committees on schools and live stock he was able to render able service to the state. His influence was always cast in favor of measures for the benefit of the people and the advancement of those interests that would contribute to the greatest good of the greatest number. In spite of the fact that the house was Democratic and he therefore belonged to the minority side, his influence was nevertheless felt for good among the legislators, and his service was most satisfactory to his constituents. The Corlett family has been identified with the history of the Isle of Man as far back as records can be traced. Hugh and Jane (Kane) Corlett, lived upon a farm on that, their native island. Their son, John, became a farmer in the same place, but first spent some years in the British army, serving under Wellington in the battle of Waterloo and other noted engagements. He remained in the service from the age of fourteen until twenty-three, when, having lost an arm in the Holland campaign, he was honorably discharged and given a life pension of sixpence a day. He served in the command of Colonel Isaac, with whom he was a great favorite and who, at his death, bequeathed his property to the surviving members of the regiment. Mr. Corlett was one of the three surviving comrades who inherited the bequest. He lived to be eighty-three years of age, and died in 1870. His wife, Ann (McGregor) Corlett, was born near Galloway, Scotland, and accompanied her mother to the Isle of Man at twelve years of age. There she spent the remainder of her life, dying when ninety-six years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while her husband was identified with the Church of England. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters, viz.: Isaac, who was named for Colonel Isaac and is now living in Leavenworth, Kans.; William, a farmer of Leavenworth, Kans.; John; Christopher, a farmer in Bates County, Mo.; Philip, who is also living on a farm in Bates County; Edward, who died at the home place when twenty-one years of age; Becky, deceased; and Ann, who resides in Wilmington, Ill. On the Isle of Man occurred the birth of John, son of John, Sr., August 4, 1832. When he was nine years of age he began to herd cattle, receiving twenty- four cents per week. Afterward his wages were increased. May 20, 1855, he left Liverpool on the sailing vessel "Manhattan," which after twenty-three days landed in New York City. He proceeded by railroad to Cleveland, Ohio, thence to Chicago and from there to Kankakee and Rockville, Ill., having a brother, William, in the latter place. For some years he had charge of seven sections of land owned by a widow. After his marriage, in 1859, he moved to this county and settled on the farm that he still owns. During the forty years that have since elapsed he has been prospered in his undertakings and has accumulated a valuable property, at the same time gaining the respect of his acquaintances. He has sometimes been called upon to settle estates and his work has always been satisfactory. He has come to be known as a whole-souled, large-hearted man, one whose character is irreproachable and whose reputation is the highest. While living on the farm he was for years Sunday-school superintendent and a steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church there, and since coming to the city he has been a member of the official board in the Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church. January 4, 1859, Mr. Corlett married Mrs. Betsey (Franklin) McGilivrey, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., and died in this county, July 1, 1892, at sixty-three years of age. Her father, Samuel Franklin, who was a native of Vermont, settled in 1830 in what is now Will County and in 1849 started across the plains to California, but died en route and was buried at Fort Kearney. At her death Mrs. Betsey Corlett left four children, viz.: William, a farmer in this county; Mary, who married E. L. McKimmey and died August 24, 1899; Minnie, wife of R. E. Babcock, of Wheaton, Ill.; and Ella, who married George Lancaster, of this county. After the death of his first wife Mr. Corlett married Mrs. Emma Harbaugh, who was born in West Salem, Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1863 settled in Will County, accompamang her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Neiswender. Her father, a native of Germany, was a child when he crossed the ocean with his parents, and he subsequently became a farmer, continuing in that occupation until he died at sixty-five years. He was a Republican and a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. Her mother, who was born in New York, went to Ohio in girlhood and married there. She survived her husband, dying when seventy-six years of age. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/corlett1797nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb