Pueblo County, Colorado
Alpheus A. Corbin

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Alpheus A. Corbin, M. D., who has engaged in continuous practice in Pueblo since 1879, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., November 17, 1839, being a son of John and Eliza (Dunbar) Corbin. His father, who was born and reared near Rochester, N. Y., went to Wisconsin in an early day and was there employed by the government for some years. From that state he removed to the vicinity of Maquoketa, Iowa, where he purchased a large tract of raw prairie land and embarked in farming and stock-raising. At his death, which occurred at thirty-six years of age, he left considerable property in farm land. His wife, who was born in Kentucky, died at the age of forty-eight years. She was a woman of gentle, attractive character, and was a consistent member of the Congregational Church.

When a boy of five years the subject of this sketch was taken to Iowa by his parents. He was educated in public schools and the Maquoketa Academy. Shortly after the opening of the Civil War, in June, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Fifth Iowa Infantry, in which he served for three years, being in the hospital department during much of the time. Among the engagements in which he took part were those at New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Chattanooga. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Mission Ridge and was removed to Richmond, where he was confined for five months. On being exchanged he returned to his company, and afterward engaged in guard duty until the expiration of his term of service.

On his return from the army our subject began to read medicine. After a time he entered the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1872. He was in that city during the great fire of 1871, in which he lost his trunk and possessions. On leaving college he went to Montgomery County, Kan., and there engaged in practice until 1879, when he came to Pueblo. In addition to his private practice he has for eight years served as pension examiner. In politics he is a Democrat, believing the principles of his party best adapted to our country's good. Fraternally he is connected with Pueblo Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., and Upton Post No. 8, G. A. R. In religion he is a member of the Episcopal Church. He has been married twice, his first wife being Emma Smith, of Providence, R. I., who died October 2, 1888, leaving three children, Leroy, Elfie and Melvin. His present wife bore the maiden name of Mary Jennings and was born in Pennsylvania.

Extracted from "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado," published by Chapman Publishing Company in Chicago in 1899.



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