BIO: Robert Corman, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LVI. SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP. 537 SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP. ROBERT CORMAN, manufacturer, P.O. Mechanicsburg. Prominent among the capitalists and manufacturers of Cumberland Valley stands, the name of Robert Corman. Beginning life as a poor boy, in this county, he, by his own industry and self-denial, has risen step by step to his present position of wealth and honor. His grandfather, Ludrick Corman, lived in Lebanon County, Penn., and was of German descent; he married a Miss Nimomaker, also of Lebanon County, Penn., and had nine children: George, John, Jacob, Abraham, Philip, Henry, Catharine, Mary and Eliza. He was a farmer by occupation; in political opinions a Democrat. He enlisted in the Revolutionary war, serving under Gen. Washington, and was one of the soldiers who passed the severe winter at Valley Forge, and, shoeless, ragged and hungry, braved almost death itself for the cause of freedom. A proud spirited gentleman of the old school he refused a pension for his services, as he thought it unbecoming in a patriot to take money from his (at that time) poor country. Many years thereafter he was unfortunate, and a pension was applied for, his name was found on the roll, but so much time had elapsed that all who knew him as a soldier were dead, and he could not be identified. Thus the soldier and patriot was not rewarded in his old age by the Government his services had helped to create. John Corman, his second son, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., April 9, 1778, and learned the trade of cooper. He married Elizabeth Campbell, born in Cumberland County, Penn., June 14, 1788, a descendant of the famous Campbells of Scotland, a branch of which had settled in Ireland, and our subject is therefore of German and Scotch-Irish descent. To John and Elizabeth Corman were born nine children: William, Robert, John, Agnes, Joseph, Charles, Eliza, George and Campbell - all dead but Robert and John. Of these, George was captain in Company F, Fifty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life in the second battle of Bull Run. His remains were not recovered, although his brother Robert went to the battle-field to obtain them, but rest on Arlington Heights, in the great tomb, with over 2,000 unknown soldiers. Our subject's father was an old-line Whig; he was a man of wonderful memory, and some remarkable incidents are yet remembered of this faculty. He was a quiet man, and a very honorable, good citizen. Robert Corman's mother had great influence on his character, and when young taught him to be self reliant, honest and industrious. He assisted her all he could, and she would say, "Robert, the good Lord will reward you." In after years her words came true; for, relying on her advice, he amassed a fortune, and can well thank her for her part in his success. Robert Corman was born March 30, 1810, near Warm Springs, Perry Co., Penn. At the age of four years he came with his father to Cumberland County. He lived with his parents on the farm until about nineteen, when, becoming discontented with farm life, he told his father he must make more money. Robert Bryson had offered to teach him tanning, and he went to live with him as an apprentice, possessing nothing in the world but an extra suit of clothes. He served three years with Mr. Bryson, and at the end of this time the latter offered him $11 a month and board. He continued to work for him for seven years as journeyman tanner, and during this time his wages were increased to 50 cents per day. Even with these small wages young Robert had, by strict economy, saved $700, which had been invested with Mr. Bryson on interest at 6 per cent. Becoming discontented at not getting along faster, Robert started for Cincinnati, then a young and growing city of 42,000 inhabitants, the journey thither being made by rail, steam-boat and stage. Still looking for work he went to Covington, Ky., and applied to a Mr. Grant, who ran a tannery there. Mr. Grant told him he could not give him employment as he had only a small tannery, but few vats, and he and two little sons did all the work; one ground the bark and the other handled the hides. The power was furnished by an old horse. Mr. Grant spoke very kindly to Robert Corman, who was a little discouraged, and bade him be of good cheer, that work would soon be found. This Mr. Grant was the father of Ulysses S. Grant, and it is very possible that Gen. Grant himself was one of the little boys helping his father at this humble occupation. Mr. Corman soon obtained work at his trade, and at the end of two years and a half had saved $75 in gold. He next went to Kittanning, Penn., and worked there at his trade, and in about eighteen months had saved 538 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: $700. Mr. Bryson, his old friend and employer, became embarrassed in business, and wrote him, offering a one-third interest in his tannery, which was accepted, and Mr. Corman retained this interest eleven years, working industriously, and during this time saved $12,000, bought 28 acres of land and built himself a fine house. October 2, 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ann (Blair) Bailey. To this union was born one daughter - Laura - November 28, 1856; since married to Harry C. Gross, of Harrisburg, son of Dr. Daniel Gross. In 1853 Mr. Corman's partnership with Mr. Bryson was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Corman then rented his residence for a number of years to a nephew of Mr. Bryson, and hiring an old tan-yard at Trindle Spring, engaged in the tanning business for seven years, and while thus engaged built what is known as the "Florence House," in Carlisle, and which was the first four-story house in the city. He erected this building in ninety days, driving from the tannery to Carlisle each day. During these years Mr. Bryson had again been unfortunate, and assignees were chosen. His property consisted of a steam tannery in full operation, well stocked with about $40,000 worth of bark and hides, over 200 acres of land, a fine mansion and other buildings. This large property was bought by Mr. Corman at the assignees' sale for $18,000; the war being in full progress no one would bid any higher. At the end of three years Mr. Corman wound up his business, and sold the property and stock for $59,000, making a clear profit of $41,000. He then moved to Mechanicsburg and invested in 7-30 United States bonds, by which he largely increased his wealth. In 1866 he went on a pleasure trip overland to California, in company with Col. McCormick and John Haldmon, of Harrisburg, Penn. He visited Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and California, and at San Francisco took steamer for New York. His wife died in March, 1867. He then bought an interest in the Trindle Spring paper-mill, which enterprise proved unfortunate to the stock-holders, but no one else lost a dollar. Mr. Corman then bought the property and converted it into a tobacco warehouse, buying three adjoining farms, which he cultivated and commenced raising tobacco. December 11, 1884, he was married to his second wife, Miss Eliza, daughter of Peter Bricker, of Silver Spring Township, this county. Mr. Corman is remarkably strong and active, and seems younger than most men of fifty. He has had a varied career, and is a man of mark. During his life he has taught sixteen youths the art of tanning, and in his many business enterprises has employed a large number of men. To Robert Bryson and his family Mr. Corman attributed much of his success, for they gave good counsel, encouragement, and were kind to him in the dark days of adversity, treating him like a son. Four principles to success are shown in our subject's active life - energy, industry, economy and honesty; and the young men of to-day may well emulate his example.