History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

980

HISTORY OF DETROIT

liberal supporters. He was a stalwart supporter of the principles and
policies of the Democratic party and showed a deep interest in public
affairs of a local order.
Concerning the children of Michael and Honora (McGrath) Corbett the following data are entered: William J. was a representative
farmer of Franklin county, Ohio, at the time of his death, in 1905; Hannah, who became the wife of Thomas H. Teegardin, of Pickaway county,
Ohio, was summoned to eternal rest in 1898; John F. is a prosperous
farmer near Groveport, Ohio; Mary is the wife of Lucian Lindsay, of
Columbus, that state; Edward J., of this review, was the next in order
of birth; M. Leo is secretary of the Capital City Dairy Company, of
Columbus, Ohio; Misses Katharine T. and Nora remain at the parental
home; and Frank P. is branch manager of the United Motor Columbus Company, in Ohio's capital city. Just before the close of the Civil
war Michael Corbett enlisted in an Ohio regiment, but his command
was not called into active field service, as victory soon afterward crowned
the Union arms.
Edward J. Corbett completed the curriculum of the public schools
of his native town of Groveport, where he was graduated in the high
school as a member of the class of 1882. He supplemented this discipline by a course in the Columbus Business College, in the capital
city of his native state, in which institution he was graduated in 1884.
In 1885, when twenty years of age, he became secretary to the general
superintendent of the Columbus & Cincinnati Midland Railroad, and
he retained this position three years, at the expiration of which, in
1888, he resigned the same to accept that of secretary to the northwestern manager of the Columbus & Hocking Coal & Iron Company, at
Ashland, Wisconsin, where he remained one year. The office of the
manager was then transferred to Chicago, in which city Mr. Corbett continued to serve as secretary for two years. He then resigned his position and became one of the organizers of the firm of H. D. Turney &
Company, coal operators, with offices in the Temple Court building,
Chicago. One year later, in 1891, he organized the firm of Arthur
Connor & Company, as a branch of the original firm, and as a member
of this new concern he opened offices in the Hodges building, Detroit.
In 1894 Mr. Corbett severed his association with this firm and engaged
independently in the wholesale coal business under his own name, with
offices at 114 High street, East. Two years later he removed his headquarters to the Union Trust building, where he remained until May 1,
1907, whlen he secured his present fine offices in the Majestic building,
which is one of the largest and most imposing of the modern "skyscrapers" in Detroit. He has given close and careful attention to his
business affairs and now controls a large and important trade as a wholesale dealer in coal. Since establishing his independent business, in
1894. he has purchased interests in several coal-operating companies.
and the major part of his business is now in handling the p1roducts
of the concerns with which he is thus identified.
In politics Mr. Corbett is generically a Democrat, but in local affairs
he is independent and gives his support to the men and measures meetino the approval of his judgment. tIe is an active and valued menmber
of the Detroit Board of Commerce, as well as its transportation eomnmittee, and shows lively interest in the work and affairs of this admnirable organization, which has (lone much to further the commercial
and civic advancement of the Michigan metropolis. lie is affiliated
with the Knights of Columbus, and holds membership in the Detroit
Club, the Country Club, Detroit Automobile Club, and the Detroit
Yacht Club,-identifieati on with which representative organizations well