Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/330



, H C was born in Monroe township, Clermont county, Ohio, September 15, 1842. His father, Shadrach Corbin, was a farmer, noted for his industry and steriing integrity. His mother, Mary Anne (Clarke) Corbin, was a descendant of the Clarkes of Virginia who removed to Kentucky (branches of the family to Ohio), and was a woman of remarkable intellectual and moral strength. His great grandfather came from England to the colony of Virginia and his grandfather served as an officer in the American army during the Revolution and at its close took up land in Southern Ohio, on a government warrant given as compensation for his services in the army. Henry C. Corbin was brought up on his father's farm and helped in farm work suitable for his age, devoting his evenings and other leisure time to study, having an earnest desire to acquire a liberal education. He attended the neighboring school five months of each year and for two years walked four miles to and from Parker's academy to have the benefit of its superior instruction. He taught a common school in 1859 at Olive Branch in his native county, and while so employed studied law under the direction of the Honorable P. B. Swing of Batavia, Ohio. He entered the United States volunteer army, July 28, 1862, as second lieutenant in the 83d Ohio volunteer infantry. He served with the 79th Ohio in the campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee, 1862-63. He was appointed major of the 14th U. S. colored infantry, stationed at Gallatin, Tennessee, on November 14, 1863, and assisted in the organization of the colored troops at Gallatin. As colonel he was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service March 26, 1866. He applied for service in the regular army and was appointed second lieutenant in the 17th U. S. infantry. May 11, 1866, and captain 38th Infantry, July 28, 1866. He was brevetted major U.S.A. March 2, 1867, for gallantry and meritorious service in action at Decatur, Alabama, October 28, 1864, and lieutenant-colonel, U.S.A., the same date, for gallantry at the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864. He was transferred to the 24th U. S. infantry