Birth: 1839
Death: 1924
Location: Lot 65, Section 6, Row 5, Old Cemetery – NW
Wood River Sunbeam Thursday 5 July 1923
Frank Corkins
In the death of Frank Corkins, which occurred at his home, 817 west Sixth street, at 7:15 A. M. Saturday, Hall county loses one of its oldest and most highly esteemed residents. He had been in failing health for the past three years or more, suffering from diabetes. He was, however, able to be up and around until Friday, when his condition became critical, resulting in his demise early Saturday.
Mr. Corkins was one of the best known residents of Grand Island, and was widely known throughout this section of the state, having been a resident of Hall county for 56 years. Coming to Nebraska in the fall of 1867 he located shortly thereafter in Hall County. At that time Grand Island boasted of one store and three saloons to represent its business enterprises. He was then a young man of 25 years but had already seen much adventure, having just served three years in the Union army during the Civil War. His settlement here was for permanency, not speculation, and throughout many succeeding years he was actively engaged in business, a helpful citizen in every way.
Mr. Corkins was born in County Cavin, Ireland, on October 26, 1842, being aged 80 years, 8 months and 4 days at the time of his death. (This differs from the birth year on his stone) His parents were Patrick and Nancy (Carlin) Corkins, who came to the United States in 1847, soon thereafter locating on a farm in McHenry county,Illinois. Here he attended the country schools and, at the completion of his studies, he assisted in the work on the farm. On August 4, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union army and was promoted to the rank of corporal of his squad. He was honorably discharged on August 18, 1865, having escaped all serious injuries and even capture by the enemy, although he came very close to it in an engagement at Guntown, Miss. Mr. Corkins then returned to his father’s farm but was not satisfied there, having by that time become ambitious to own land for himself. Hence, in the fall of 1867, he came to Nebraska, he came to Nebraska. He homesteaded on a farm near Wood River, remaining there for eleven years, when he sold the farm and moved to Grand Island, purchasing a livery stable on East Third street. For twenty years he operated this establishment through his business capacity making it a profitable enterprise and the leading one here for many years. On March 1, 1913, Mr. Corkins retired from active work and has since led a more quiet life. He was an enthusiastic baseball fan and, when his health permitted rarely missed a game. Friends of Mr. Corkins related that even during his more recent declining years he had been known to get out of bed, hire a taxi, and go to the baseball park, there to witness a game and root for the home team. He was, likewise, always a staunch supporter of the game and contributed liberally in a financial way to the support of the Grand Island team.
On November 5, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet E. Smith, who survived him. Their love for children was great, and having none of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Corkins adopted a daughter Anna Bliss, whom they reared. She is now Mrs. C. R. Mason of Wheatland, Wyo. Her son, Wilbur Woodman, aged 14, has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Corkins since he was three years of age. Besides these, he leaves to mourn his departure two sisters, Mrs. Alice Collins, of Lincoln, Neb., and Miss Mary Corkins, of Chicago, Ill., and two nephews, Frank and Phil Courtney, residing in Canada.
Funeral services were held from the home at 2 P. M. Monday, Mr. A. E. Fehrenkamp, of the Christian Scientist church, officiating. Burial was made in the Wood River cemetery. — Independent.
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On August 4, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union Army during the Civil War and was promoted to be corporal of his company. He was honorably discharged August 18, 1865.
Illinois muster roll = Francis Corkin b. Cavan Co., Ireland. Resident of Algonquin, McHenry Co. Illinois at 1862 enlistment.
Widow Harriet applied for pension 8=7-1923 in Nebraska. Co. I. 95th Illinois Inft. This differs from grave stone 27th Illinois Inft. The Illinois state & Illinois federal muster rolls do not have a Corkin or Corkins etc. in 27th Illinois Inft.
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He served as a Hall county supervisor for two years.
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Parents were Patrick and Nancy (Carlin Corkins, who came to the United States in 1847. They settled in McHenry County, IL. Patrick died in 1863, and Nancy died in 1904. They had a total of seven children.
Francis’s wife, Harriet was the daughter of George P. and Harriet N. (McGregor) Smith, her mother being a first cousin of Ralph W. Emerson. Mrs. Corkins parents were early settlers of Hall county.
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Adopted daughter Anna Bliss was first married to Douglas Woodman, of Denver, co., who served as a US soldier in France during World War I. They had one son, Wilbur.