Chester E. Corry Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 1049-1050

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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CHESTER E. CORRY, a prosperous real estate dealer and prominent citizen 
of Columbia, Brown county, has been identified with various business 
interests since taking up his residence in Brown county, and in each 
has met with marked success. He does an extensive business and is 
highly respected in his community. 

Mr. Corry was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, July 22, 1861, and was 
the only child born to James and Ellen (Redman) Corry. Upon attaining 
his majority he went to Columbia, South Dakota, arriving there March 1, 
1883, and established a private bank under the firm name of Loomis & 
Corry, which was one of the three banks established in the village. In 
1895 the institution was reorganized and known as the People's Bank, 
with our subject as sole proprietor. The bank was the sole survivor of 
the panic of 1895-96, and continued business until 1897, when it was 
voluntarily closed, our subject continuing the real estate and 
collection business in which he had been engaged for several years. 
This work has flourished and the sales for the year of 1899 amounted to 
twenty thousand dollars, most of which has been disposed of to resident 
citizens, evidencing the prosperity of the state and the bright 
prospects for the future. 

Our subject was married in 1892 to Miss Clara M. Smith. Mr. Corry is a 
member of the Congregational church and the-Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. Too much cannot be said of the executive abilities of our 
subject as exhibited in the management of his private business and the 
intricate affairs of the banking institution with which he was 
connected for so many years. He has also interested himself largely in 
other business enterprises, and is now the owner of eight hundred acres 
of land. His business qualifications, combined with his conservative 
disposition, make him a man whose judgment is heeded in all matters of 
a weighty character, and he is well known in Brown county, and in fact 
throughout that section of South Dakota. In affairs pertaining to local 
government he has taken active part, and has creditably filled various 
official positions. He was mayor of the city of Columbia in 1893, and 
as a member of the city council has taken great interest in the welfare 
of the city. He is a true and faithful citizen, and ably seconds all 
projects which tend to the protection and building-up of the business 
interests of the town in which he makes his home. Mr. Corry does not 
adhere strictly to the principles of any political party, but to some 
extent favors the principles of the Republican party. He is a man who 
is conversant with topics under daily discussion and is strong in his 
convictions for right and justice, and his influence is cast for the 
good of his community. He is loyal to his friends, and is one of the 
important factors in the development and growth of the social and 
financial interests of Columbia. With such men to guide her interests, 
a community has little chance for doubt as to the result of its labors 
for good government, good citizenship and financial success.