Biographical Sketch of John Corby, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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John Corby, (deceased).  The subject of this sketch, for many years
one of the representative men of North Missouri, he was born in 
Limerick, Ireland, June 24, 1808.  At the age of twelve years, he
left his parental home and came to the shores of America, residing
first in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  His educatiion he derived
principally in Ireland and by his own exertion on his arrival in
the Union States.  His first experiences in active life were in
the capacity of railroad contractor.  In this pursuit he assisted
in building many of the great lines east, south and west.  In 1843,
Mr. Corby immigrated to the Platte Purchase, and settled on the
site of the present city of St. Joseph, and determined to make it
his home.  His first venture in St. Joseph was in general merchan-
dising, and with an abiding faith in the growth and ultimate pros-
perity of the city, he made large investments in real estate which
resulted in large returns.  He subsequently engaged in the banking
business, which he continued until his death, which occurred May 9,
1870.  Absorbed in the pursuit of his personal affairs, he took but
little active interest in the politics of the day, and was never a
seeker of office.  In 1856, he was elected Mayor, a position he 
filled for two years to the unqualified satisfaction of his con-
stituents.  He was for many years before and after this a leading
member of the City Council.  Politically he was a Democrat, and in
his religious preferences a Roman Catholic.  He was married May 30,
1852, to Miss Amanda Musick, of St. Louis.  Mr. Corby died May 9,
1870.  His vast landed and personal estate he left to his widow,
who has erected on his burial place, about two miles from the city,
a memorial Chapel known as St. John the Baptist.  It is a stately,
gothic structure of stone 85 x 50 feet, costing $40,000.

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