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 ILLIAM CORZINE, Vice-President of the First National Bank at Caldwell, is also engaged extensively in the livestock business, being one of the largest land-owners of Sumner County. Of Southern antecedents, he was born in Tobias County, N. C, January 5, 1835 and is the son of John R. and Elizabeth (Madden) Corzine, the former of whom was a well-to-do planter during his residence in the South.John R. Corzine, in 1838, emigrated to Jersey County, Ill., where he sojourned for a period of fourteen years, then changed his residence to Montgomery County, that State. In the latter he spent his last days engaged in farming. He was a strict member of the Baptist Church from early manhood and possessed of the unquestioned integrity which gained him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had dealings. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Roan County, N. C, and was the descendant of an old and honored family of high respectability. She also like her husband died in Montgomery County, Ill. There were born to them six children, viz: William, Sarah J., Noah, Jefferson, Francis M., and Elizabeth A. The subject of this sketch was the first-born of his parents and was reared on a farm in Jersey County, Ill. He attended the common school and in 1852 removed with his parents to Montgomery County, where he commenced farming for himself and was thus occupied there until 1873. In the meantime he was prospered, but decided to invest his capital in Kansas lands, and coming to this county purchased nine hundred and sixty acres on sections 16 and 21, Falls Township. He still maintains possession of this land, which is now valuable. He gave his attention strictly to farming until 1882, then removed with his family to Caldwell, of which he has since been a resident. He still has the general management of his farming interests and as a leading stockman of this county, holds membership in the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association. He started out for himself unaided and his possessions are solely the result of his own industry and good management. For three years he served as County Commissioner, and is recognized everywhere as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, willing to aid in any project which will result in the advancement and welfare of the people around him. He is an uncompromising Democrat, politically, and has taken the third degree of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. The Caldwell First National Bank has become one of the leading institutions of its kind in this county, owing its prosperity largely to the standing of its Vice-President, who is also a leading director. Mr. Corzine was first married in 1858 near Litchfield, to Miss Sarah Forehand, of Montgomery County, Ill. This lady was a native of Tennessee, and departed this life at her home in Falls Township in 1875. There were born to her and her husband six children, viz: James A., Emma J., Thomas J., Ida E., Mary and Albert. Mr. Corzine in 1877 contracted a second marriage with Miss Margaret S. Blackwelder, of this county, and who is still living. Of this union there are no children. |
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