Henry W. Corbett
Encyclopedia
Henry Winslow Corbett was an American businessman and politician in the state of Oregon
. A native of Massachusetts
, he spend much of his early life in the state of New York
before moving to the Oregon Territory
where he continued his business interests in retail, and later transportation and banking. A Republican
, he served as a United States Senator from 1867 to 1873.
, on February 18, 1827. Of English descent, his parents were Elijah and Melinda Corbett. In 1831, he moved with his parents to the town of White Creek, New York
in 1831. Corbett attended the local common schools and then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Cambridge, New York
, starting in 1840. There he also attended Cambridge Academy before he moved to New York City
in 1843 and was employed in the mercantile business there until 1851.
to Portland, Oregon
, arriving on March 7, 1851. Corbett's supplies took over a month to arrive, so he explored the territory. Once his goods arrived, he set up shop at the corner of Front and Oak streets, paying $125 per month to operate his general merchandising business, opening on April 28, 1851. Backed by East Coast banks, his store grossed $83,000 in its first 14 months of sales, sending $20,000 to its supplier in New York, Williams, Bradford & Company and keeping $20,000 profit for himself. On the advice of his supplier who noted the downturn in the California Gold Rush
, Corbett left for New York in July 1852, leaving his store with employees Finley McLaren and Robert McLaren. In 1853, Corbett married Caroline E. Jagger from Albany, New York
, then returned to Portland by July 1853.
Corbett renamed the store as Corbett & McLarens, became an independent buyer. He began purchasing for his store and other merchants who wanted to buy directly from New York, rather than buying overpriced goods from San Francisco. He also offered credit to his customers, which increased his sales against competitors. In June 1854, Corbett dissolved his partnership with the McLarens and began specializing in high-margin farm equipment, including the McCormick
combine harvester
.
Having bought a house on their 1853 return to Portland, Caroline Jagger and Corbett had two sons. Caroline died in 1866, and he remarried the next year to Emma L. Ruggles. Corbett purchased the California Stage Line, which carried both mail and passengers, in 1863.
The First National Bank
, established in Oregon in 1866 under the National Banking Act
, was for a number of years the only bank west of the Rocky Mountains. Corbett and his brother-in-law Henry Failing
, a former mayor of Portland, purchased nearly all First National's stock in 1869; Failing became the bank's president. The bank prospered under their joint management, becoming one of the most successful banks in the Northwestern U.S.
In 1871 Corbett joined the Failing family business, and two of Failing's younger brothers (Edward and James) later joined as well. The business was renamed to Corbett, Failing & Co. The business turned exclusively to wholesale merchandizing, and became the largest of its kind in the northwestern United States
.
Also in the 1870s, Corbett made a brief foray into newspaper publishing. With others, he bought a majority portion of The Oregonian
in 1872 from Henry Pittock
; Pittock regained majority control in 1877.
Corbett and Failing were elected as directors of Oregon Railway and Navigation Company (ORNC) in June 1888, along with Henry Villard
, Christopher Meyer, John Hubert Hall
, Sidney Dillon
, Charles S. Colby, Colgate Hoyt
, C. H. Lewis, W. S. Ladd
, Cyrus A. Dolph
, W. H. Holcomb, and S. B. Wiley. Contemporary elections for the Oregon and Transcontinental and the Northern Pacific Terminal Company installed many of the same men on the boards of those companies as well. The elections were understood to signal no change at ORNC, underscoring their intent to extend the Farmington Line
to the Coeur D'Alene Mines
, and were viewed as a defeat of Villard and his initiative to jointly lease property of the Northern Pacific and the Union Pacific.
Corbett also became involved in building and investment business interests.
In Portland, Corbett was selected as city treasurer, and later was a member of the city council
. Corbett also served as chairman of the Oregon Republican Party
's central committee. Corbett was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate
in 1866, and served from March 4, 1867, to March 4, 1873. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1873, and returned to Portland where he resumed work on his business interests. On March 6, 1897, was appointed to the U.S. Senate for a second term in the office, set to begin on March 4, 1897. He was appointed after the Oregon Legislative Assembly
failed to organize and elect a Senator, however, Corbett was not permitted to qualify and the office went unfilled. Corbett ran for the seat in 1901, but lost.
and the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. He served as president of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
from January 1902 until his death the next year. Henry Winslow Corbett died in Portland on March 31, 1903, at the age of 76 and was interred at River View Cemetery
in that city. The town of Corbett, Oregon
is named after him. His descendants Gretchen Corbett
and Winslow Corbett
are television and stage actresses.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, he spend much of his early life in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
before moving to the Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
where he continued his business interests in retail, and later transportation and banking. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he served as a United States Senator from 1867 to 1873.
Early years
Henry Corbett was born in Westborough, MassachusettsWestborough, Massachusetts
Westborough is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,272 at the 2010 census. The town is governed under the New England open town meeting system, headed by a five member elected Board of Selectmen whose duties include licensing, appointing various...
, on February 18, 1827. Of English descent, his parents were Elijah and Melinda Corbett. In 1831, he moved with his parents to the town of White Creek, New York
White Creek, New York
White Creek is a town in Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 3,411 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in 1831. Corbett attended the local common schools and then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Cambridge, New York
Cambridge (town), New York
Cambridge is a town in Washington County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,158 at the 2005 census.The town of Cambridge contains part of a village, also called Cambridge.- History :...
, starting in 1840. There he also attended Cambridge Academy before he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1843 and was employed in the mercantile business there until 1851.
Oregon
Later in 1851, Corbett sailed with a stock of goods around Cape HornCape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, arriving on March 7, 1851. Corbett's supplies took over a month to arrive, so he explored the territory. Once his goods arrived, he set up shop at the corner of Front and Oak streets, paying $125 per month to operate his general merchandising business, opening on April 28, 1851. Backed by East Coast banks, his store grossed $83,000 in its first 14 months of sales, sending $20,000 to its supplier in New York, Williams, Bradford & Company and keeping $20,000 profit for himself. On the advice of his supplier who noted the downturn in the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, Corbett left for New York in July 1852, leaving his store with employees Finley McLaren and Robert McLaren. In 1853, Corbett married Caroline E. Jagger from Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, then returned to Portland by July 1853.
Corbett renamed the store as Corbett & McLarens, became an independent buyer. He began purchasing for his store and other merchants who wanted to buy directly from New York, rather than buying overpriced goods from San Francisco. He also offered credit to his customers, which increased his sales against competitors. In June 1854, Corbett dissolved his partnership with the McLarens and began specializing in high-margin farm equipment, including the McCormick
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
combine harvester
Combine harvester
The combine harvester, or simply combine, is a machine that harvests grain crops. The name derives from the fact that it combines three separate operations, reaping, threshing, and winnowing, into a single process. Among the crops harvested with a combine are wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn ,...
.
Having bought a house on their 1853 return to Portland, Caroline Jagger and Corbett had two sons. Caroline died in 1866, and he remarried the next year to Emma L. Ruggles. Corbett purchased the California Stage Line, which carried both mail and passengers, in 1863.
The First National Bank
First National Bank (Portland, Oregon)
The First National Bank is a building located in downtown Portland, Oregon, listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, established in Oregon in 1866 under the National Banking Act
National Banking Act
The National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864 were two United States federal laws that established a system of national charters for banks, and created the United States National Banking System. They encouraged development of a national currency backed by bank holdings of U.S...
, was for a number of years the only bank west of the Rocky Mountains. Corbett and his brother-in-law Henry Failing
Henry Failing
Henry Failing was a banker, and one of the leading businessmen of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He was one of Portland, Oregon's earliest residents, and served as that city's mayor for three two-year terms...
, a former mayor of Portland, purchased nearly all First National's stock in 1869; Failing became the bank's president. The bank prospered under their joint management, becoming one of the most successful banks in the Northwestern U.S.
In 1871 Corbett joined the Failing family business, and two of Failing's younger brothers (Edward and James) later joined as well. The business was renamed to Corbett, Failing & Co. The business turned exclusively to wholesale merchandizing, and became the largest of its kind in the northwestern United States
Northwestern United States
The Northwestern United States comprise the northwestern states up to the western Great Plains regions of the United States, and consistently include the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, to which part of southeast Alaska is also sometimes included...
.
Also in the 1870s, Corbett made a brief foray into newspaper publishing. With others, he bought a majority portion of The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
in 1872 from Henry Pittock
Henry Pittock
Henry Lewis Pittock was an Oregon pioneer, newspaper editor, publisher, and wood and paper magnate. He was active in Republican politics and Portland, Oregon civic affairs, a Freemason and an avid outdoorsman and adventurer...
; Pittock regained majority control in 1877.
Corbett and Failing were elected as directors of Oregon Railway and Navigation Company (ORNC) in June 1888, along with Henry Villard
Henry Villard
Henry Villard was an American journalist and financier who was an early president of the Northern Pacific Railway....
, Christopher Meyer, John Hubert Hall
John Hubert Hall
John Hubert Hall was an American Republican politician from the US state of Oregon. He was Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in 1947, fourth in line to the governorship, when the governor, secretary of state, and senate president were all killed in a plane crash...
, Sidney Dillon
Sidney Dillon
Sidney Dillon , an America railroad executive and one the nations premier railroad builders.-Biography:Dillon was born in Northampton, Fulton County, New York...
, Charles S. Colby, Colgate Hoyt
Colgate Hoyt
Colgate Hoyt was an American businessman active in the late nineteenth century. He was a director of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, and one of the founders of Everett, Washington, where a main street is named after him. He was a New York investment banker who was the partner of Joseph...
, C. H. Lewis, W. S. Ladd
William S. Ladd
William Sargent Ladd was an American politician and businessman in Oregon. He twice served as Portland, Oregon’s mayor in the 1850s. A native of Vermont, he was a prominent figure in the early development of Portland, and co-founded the first bank in the state in 1859...
, Cyrus A. Dolph
Cyrus A. Dolph
Cyrus Abda Dolph was a businessman in Portland, Oregon, United States. He was a promoter and counselor of various financial and railway enterprises of the Pacific Northwest of the United States....
, W. H. Holcomb, and S. B. Wiley. Contemporary elections for the Oregon and Transcontinental and the Northern Pacific Terminal Company installed many of the same men on the boards of those companies as well. The elections were understood to signal no change at ORNC, underscoring their intent to extend the Farmington Line
Farmington, Washington
Farmington is a town in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 146 at the 2010 census.-History:Farmington was first settled in 1871, and was founded and named by G.W.Truax in 1878. Farmington was officially incorporated in 1888. At Farmington's peak the town boasted a...
to the Coeur D'Alene Mines
Coeur d'Alene miners' dispute
There were two related incidents between miners and mine owners in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District of North Idaho: the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho labor strike of 1892, and the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho labor confrontation of 1899. This article is a brief overview of both events.The strike of 1892 had its...
, and were viewed as a defeat of Villard and his initiative to jointly lease property of the Northern Pacific and the Union Pacific.
Corbett also became involved in building and investment business interests.
Political career
Government of Portland, Oregon
The Government of Portland, Oregon, a city in the U.S. state of Oregon, is based on a city commission government system. Elected officials include a Mayor, a City Council, and a City Auditor. The mayor and commissioners are responsible legislative policy and oversee the various bureaus that...
. Corbett also served as chairman of the Oregon Republican Party
Oregon Republican Party
The Oregon Republican Party is the state affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Oregon, headquartered in Lake Oswego. The first state party convention was held in Salem on April 21, 1859, and its first nominee for Congress, Portland attorney David Logan...
's central committee. Corbett was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1866, and served from March 4, 1867, to March 4, 1873. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1873, and returned to Portland where he resumed work on his business interests. On March 6, 1897, was appointed to the U.S. Senate for a second term in the office, set to begin on March 4, 1897. He was appointed after the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
failed to organize and elect a Senator, however, Corbett was not permitted to qualify and the office went unfilled. Corbett ran for the seat in 1901, but lost.
Later years
Corbett continued his business activities and served a director for the Oregon Steam Navigation CompanyOregon Steam Navigation Company
The Oregon Steam Navigation Company was an American company incorporated in 1860 in Washington with partners J. S. Ruckle, Henry Olmstead, and J. O. Van Bergen...
and the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. He served as president of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, commonly also known as the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and officially known as the Lewis and Clark Centennial American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, was a worldwide exposition held in Portland, Oregon, United States in 1905 to celebrate the...
from January 1902 until his death the next year. Henry Winslow Corbett died in Portland on March 31, 1903, at the age of 76 and was interred at River View Cemetery
River View Cemetery (Portland, Oregon)
River View Cemetery in the southwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States, is a non-profit cemetery founded in 1882. It is the final resting place of many prominent and notable citizens of Oregon, including many governors and United States Senators...
in that city. The town of Corbett, Oregon
Corbett, Oregon
Corbett is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in eastern Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. It is located on the Historic Columbia River Highway between the Sandy River and Crown Point....
is named after him. His descendants Gretchen Corbett
Gretchen Corbett
Gretchen Corbett is an American actress most noted for the role of Beth Davenport on the television series The Rockford Files from 1974 to 1978.-Early Life in Oregon:...
and Winslow Corbett
Winslow Corbett
Winslow Corbett is an American actress and the daughter of Rockford Files supporting player Gretchen Corbett . Corbett toured as Elaine Robinson in the stage version of The Graduate during the 2000s, as well as touring in several other plays, and appeared in the TV-movie A Change of Heart...
are television and stage actresses.