Henry Corby
Henry Corby (1806 – 25 October 1881) was an Ontario baker, businessman, and politician. Born and raised in England, Corby immigrated to Upper Canada in 1832. After building businesses in Belleville, Ontario, he served as the 9th mayor of Belleville from 1867 to 1868 and represented Hastings East in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative from 1867 to 1874.
Henry Corby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ontario MPP | |
| In office September 3, 1867 – December 23, 1874 | |
| Preceded by | Riding established |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel Stephen Appleby |
| Constituency | Hastings East |
| 9th Mayor of Belleville, Ontario | |
| In office 1867–1868 | |
| Preceded by | Billa Flint |
| Succeeded by | Peter deSidnia Conger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1806 Hanwell, England |
| Died | October 25, 1881 (aged 74–75) |
| Citizenship | Canada |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Children | Henry Jr. |
| Occupation |
|
Life and career
Corby was born in Hanwell, England,[1][2] in 1806.[3][4] He was apprenticed to a baker in London.
In 1832, Corby married Alma Williams and moved to Belleville, then in Upper Canada,[3][5] where he opened a general store and bakery,[2] and secured a contract to supply the local militia.
On 24 December 1835, Alma and their three children drowned in the Bay of Quinte after the ice broke while the family were riding a sleigh.[3][4]
In 1838, Corby became involved in shipping goods between Belleville and Kingston, and selling grain.[2]
Corby served for a number of years on the Belleville village council and continued to be politically active as a Conservative. In 1855, he purchased a gristmill and foundeded his distillery in 1859.[3][5][6][7]
In 1867, Corby was elected as the mayor of Belleville[3][8] and an Ontario MPP representing Hastings East. He helped promote the development of railways in the area, which were a catalyst to increasing trade and residents. He left the office of mayor in 1868.[3][8]
Corby retired from politics in 1875 due to declining health. He died on 25 October 1881.[3][5] He was survived by his son, Henry Jr. (1851–1917).
Legacy
The town where Corby's distillery was located was renamed as Corbyville in 1882, in his honour.
References
- Pioneer Life on the Bay of Quinte, including Genealogies of Old Families and Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens. Toronto: Rolph and Clark. pp. 198–199. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- Kearney, Mark; Ray, Randy (2002). I Know that Name! : The People Behind Canada's Best-Known Brand Names From Elizabeth Arden to Walter Zeller. Canada: Dundurn Press. pp. 102–103. ISBN 1-55002-407-8. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- Brearley, Donald (2011). "Mayors of the City of Belleville" (PDF). Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- de Kergommeaux, Davin (2017) [2012]. "Henry Corby: A Man, a Plan, a Town, a Distillery". Canadian Whisky (2nd ed.). Canada: Appetite by Random House. ISBN 9780147530752. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- Blocker, Jack S., Jr.; Fahey, David M.; Tyrrell, Ian R., eds. (2003). Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: An International Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. p. 175. ISBN 1-57607-833-7. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - "A Visit to the Corby Distillery – The Most Modern Distillery Plant in the World". Victoria Daily Times. 24 August 1908. Retrieved 23 June 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
The Corby Distillery was founded in 1859 by the late Mr. Henry Corby, father of Mr. Henry Corby, ex-M. P., who is today the most popular and most public-spirited citizen of Belleville.
- Doran, Cali (29 March 2018). "Old distillery is transformed into a craft brewery". QNetNews.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- Thomas, Mary (18 July 2018). "Marking the Corby family's history". Quinte News. Belleville, Ontario. Retrieved 23 June 2022.