J. E. Corlett
one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Clayton
County, was born on the Isle of Man, July 4, 1828, and
was a son of John and Eleanor Corlett, nee Cotcher,
likewise natives of that Island. They came to the United
States in 1834, and located in Dutchess County, N.Y.,
where they died. J. E. came to Clayton County in 1853,
removing his family thither in 1855. He purchased his
present farm of 240 acres on sections 10 and 12 in 1854.
His marriage occurred in 1850, to Catherine Amanda
Crawford. Her father, James Crawford, was a native of New
Jersey, and came to Clayton County in May, 1852. His
wife, Eleanor, nee Quick, was born in Pike County, Penn.
They now reside in Nebraska, where they settled in 1874.
Mr. and Mrs. Corlett have had twelve children - Horace
B., born Dec. 30,1852; Mary E., Nov. 8, 1854, is now the
wife of W.P. Hallett, of Wyoming, Iowa; Frank J., May
8,1856; James E., March 14, 1858; Lucas A., born Feb. 14,
1860, died Sept. 19, 1878; Willard B., born Nov. 23,
1861; Amy H., Jan. 22, 1864; Annie J., July 3, 1866;
Cyrus C., Oct. 29, 1868; Charles A., Oct. 23, 1870;
Samuel D., Aug. 31, 1872; and Le Roy E., March 18, 1875.
Upon coming to Clayton County, Mr. Corlett soon disclosed
those qualities which eminently fitted him to hold public
positions of honor and trust; he has accordingly been
elected to all the township offices, and has also served
as Deputy County Treasurer, President and Treasurer of
the county and district fairs, President of County School
Board; Captain of a military company, United States
Marshal, and enough others, he says, to make any man
poor. He is now Secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Fire and
Lightning Insurance Company, of Clayton County, which was
organized on Feb. 15, 1875. Mr. Corlett owns one of the
finest orchards in the county, and makes a specialty of
growing fine fruits. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 773-774 |