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Henry Corby

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For his son, the Ontario businessman and politician, see Henry Corby Jr.

Henry Corby
Ontario MPP
In office
September 3, 1867 – December 23, 1874
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byNathaniel Stephen Appleby
ConstituencyHastings East
9th Mayor of Belleville, Ontario
In office
1867–1868
Preceded byBilla Flint
Succeeded byPeter deSidnia Conger
Personal details
Born1806 (1806)
Hanwell, England
DiedOctober 25, 1881(1881-10-25) (aged 74–75)
CitizenshipCanada
Political partyConservative
ChildrenHenry Jr.
Occupation
  • Baker
  • businessman
  • politician

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.

Life and career

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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

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The town where Corby's distillery was located was renamed as Corbyville in 1882, in his honour.

Electoral history

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1867 Ontario general election: Hastings East
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Henry Corby 908 57.65
Liberal Mr. Henderson 667 42.35
Total valid votes 1,575 75.21
Eligible voters 2,094
Conservative pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario[9]
1871 Ontario general election: Hastings East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Corby 186 88.57 +30.92
Liberal Mr. Henderson 24 11.43 −30.92
Turnout 210 10.10 −65.11
Eligible voters 2,079
Conservative hold Swing +30.92
Source: Elections Ontario[10]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Brearley, Donald (2011). "Mayors of the City of Belleville" (PDF). Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b 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.
  5. ^ a b c 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ Doran, Cali (29 March 2018). "Old distillery is transformed into a craft brewery". QNetNews.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b Thomas, Mary (18 July 2018). "Marking the Corby family's history". Quinte News. Belleville, Ontario. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1867. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Data Explorer". Elections Ontario. 1871. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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