Children: i. ii. iii. iv. V. vi. WALTER B., b. March 3, 1872; m. Dora J. Potter, LEO GRANT, b. Aug. 2, 1885; d. Dec. 26, 1887. 367. ROXALANA CORBIN (Lucian, Rufus, Timothy, James, James, Clement), b. May 18. 1840, + Dudley; m. Samuel Sumner Woodward, Nov. 24, 1858, at Webster, Mass. He was b. July 22, 1830, at Ashford, Conn. He was a member of Co. I, 15th Mass. Vols. Lived at Webster. Children: i. ii. iii. FRANK EDWARd Woodward, b. Aug. 26, 1860; d. Oct. 27, 1862. ELLA MARIA WOODWARD, b. Oct. 12, 1863; m. Clarence C. Bartlett at Webster, Oct. 3, 1885; he was b. Aug. 23, 1863, at Webster. EMMA LIZZIE WOODWARD, b. Oct. 17, 1866; m. Arthur Lincoln Sears, Oct. 21, 1891. He was b. at Charlton, Aug. 1, 1867. 368. CHESTER CLEMENS CORBIN (Benjamin A., Timothy, Timothy, James, James, Clement), b. Sept. 25, 1841, at Dudley, Mass.; m. Augusta E. Smith, dau. of Henry and Jane (Sly) Smith of Webster, Nov. 14, 1866. Chester C. Corbin removed to Webster with his parents in 1852, where his father transferred from Dudley the shoe factory which afterwards grew to such size and importance under the firm name "B. A. Corbin & Son." The son entered upon his business career at the age of twenty-one, as junior member of the firm. Four years later he became the managing member. His father died in 1880, but the son continued the business under the old firm name until 1902, when he sold out all but a nominal interest. He was a man of unusual business ability, equal to the management of great financial interests, with a judgment considered particularly wise and safe, and prodigiously active. Hence, as would be expected, he accumulated wealth, but his main object in life was not to make money. He realized the responsibility of men of wealth and used his money generously and wisely to do good. He was a leading member and supporter of the M. E. Church at Webster, in which he was a trustee, steward, and superintendent of the Sunday-school from 1861 to his death. He was a trustee of Boston University and of Wilbraham Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., where he had been a student. He was a member of the board of managers of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church from 1889 to his death in 1903. Here his advice and judgment were greatly appreciated and relied on. He gave freely of his time and wealth to all these causes. After helping earnestly to raise the $200,000 endowment fund for Boston University, when it was finally subscribed he proposed a season of prayer and thanksgiving to God. He was elected a member of the Wesleyan Association in 1889, where he was very helpful. He was also interested in public affairs and greatly esteemed by his fellow townsmen. In 1881 and 1882 he was chosen as a member of the Massachusetts senate, where he represented his district with ability and dignity and made a fine record. He might have had many other political offices had he cared for them. He was president of the First National Bank of Webster and director in many other banks and corporations in Boston and New York. He was a special member of the firm of Morse & Rogers, shoe dealers at 134-140 Duane St., New York. Mr. Morse says of him, "His was a personality that endeared him not only to the friends who had long known him, but to others whom he only casually met. With strong and decided opinions, he was able to so express them as to give no offense to those who were entirely opposed to his views. IIe had a wonderful ability to get and hold the esteem of those with whom he came into contact. He was a natural leader, and was a man whose influence was for the world's betterment." During the latter part of his life he was accustomed to spend his winters in New York. During the last few years he suffered from heart trouble, which caused a partial suspension of his business activities. He died suddenly at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, March 14, 1903. His funeral was held in Webster, and was doubtless the most impressive which that town had ever seen. All business was suspended during the hour of the funeral and the schools closed. The exercises were conducted by prominent clergymen of the M. E. Church and there were in attendance a very large number of Mr. Corbin's friends from out of town. There was a magnificent array of costly flowers which were afterwards, at the request of the widow, given out to friends. Thus a fitting tribute was paid to the memory of this noble man, who was esteemed and loved by so many. Dr. Charles Parkhurst, editor of Zion's Herald, who knew both Mr. and Mrs. Corbin intimately, adds these words in regard to the latter: "No sketch does this grand, wise, and useful man anything like justice, that does not refer to the peculiar relation which always existed between his wife and himself. Their devotion to each other was ideal. To an unusual degree she was the complement and inspiration to his life. The unique relation of this man and his wife to each other form, therefore, the most attractive chapter in his life." Children: i. GERTRUDE, b. Oct. 20, 1869; d. Nov. 23, 1871. 369. FRED ELLSWORTH CORBIN (William, Timothy, Timothy, James, James, Clement) of Southbridge, b. May 18, 1861, at Dudley, on the old homestead of James Corbin. He graduated from Williams College in 1881, and was principal of Nichols Academy at Dudley from 1883-1885. In 1886 he became principal of the Southbridge (Mass.) High School, where he still is (1904). He m. Mary Edith Cheney, dau. of W. H. H. Cheney of Southbridge, Dec. 26, 1889. She was b. March 31, 1868. Her mother's name was Mary R. Lyon. Her father was descended from Col. Thomas Cheney of Roxbury; the homestead has been in continuous possession of the Cheneys for over two hundred years. Children: i. LOUISE BRADFORD, b. June 13, 1892. 370. CHARLES MONROE CORBIN (Palmer M., James, Timothy, James, James, Clement), b. Feb. 6, 1850; m. |