John Calvin Corkins

Notes:

The son of Calvin Corkins (b. 1831 in Van Buren Twp, Wayne County, MI) and Melissa/Malissa Leonard (b. 1839 in Van Buren Twp, Wayne County, MI, d. 1901).

Cass City Chronicle
Friday, November 14, 1952
Vol. 47, Number 29.

Community Mourns Loss of Respected Pioneer Attorney

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon for John C. Corkins, prominent civic leader and Cass City attorney.

Mr. Corkins died at the Pleasant Home Hospital Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, where he had been a patient for three weeks.

He had been a member of the Cass City community for 49 years, coming to Cass City in 1903 as a partner in the Brooker and Corkins law firm.

During his many years here, Mr. Corkins became a respected leader in the community. He served as village president, justice of the peace, postmaster and president of the fair association.

He was one of the original stockholders of the first phone company of Cass City. Mr. Corkins was a member of the Tuscola Count Bar Association and the oldest practicing attorney in the county.

He was born in Ypsilanti May 4, 1873, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Corkins.

He married Miss Minnie Fell October 14, 1908 in Brookville, Penn., and the couple lived in Caro for a short time. Three children, Helen, Ivan and Lucille, were born before Mrs. Corkins died Feb. 5, 1911.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Corkins married Miss Lena E. Muck March 20, 1912. Five children were born to the couple: Maxine, Jack, Gene, Hazel and Shirley. Mrs. Corkins died Nov. 22, 1931.

He attended Ypsilanti State Normal College and later graduated from Detroit College of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1900. He practiced for two years in Butte, Montana, before returning to Michigan.

Mr. Corkins married the former Gertrude Murphy Oct. 10, 1933.

Surviving, besides his wife, are: five daughters, Mrs. Douglas (Helen) GREIG of Detroit, Mrs. Clare (Lucille) HEWENS of Bad Axe, Mrs. Isaac (Maxine) ALBRANDT and Mrs. Edw. (Shirley) WATTERS, both of Cass City, and Mrs. Ben D. (Hazel) JONES of Shabbona; three sons, Ivan of Sault Ste. Marie, Jack of Detroit and Gene of Cass City; fourteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and one brother, Wilmer of Ypsilanti. One brother and one sister preceded him in death.

Mr. Corkins was at Little's Funeral Home until 2 p.m. Monday, the time of the service.

The Rev. Melvin R. Vender officiated and the final resting place was in Elkland Cemetery.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2008)

(Research):Census Listings:

1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 18 April 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 2B and 3A, Stamped 134
52-52
Corkins, John Hd M W 36 M1 6 3/3 Mich Mich Mich Lawyer Atty at Law
Corkins, Minnie C Wf F W 30 M1 6 3/3 Mich England Ohio
Corkins, Helen M Dtr F W 5 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Ivan W Son M W 5 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Lucy T Dtr F W 4 S Mich Mich Mich

1920 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
Enumerated 20 and 21 January 1920
SD 7 ED 178 Sheet 5B
113-116
Corkins, John C Hd M W 46 M Mich Mich Mich Farmer General Farm
Corkins, Lena Wf F W 36 M Mich NY NY
Corkins, Helen Dtr F W 15 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Ivan Son M W 12 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Louciel Dtr F W 14 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Maxine Dtr F W 5 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Lee Son M W 3 11/12 S Mich Mich Mich

1930 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Twp
ED 79-12 SD 11 Sheet 5B
113-113
Corkins, John C Hd M W 56 M30 Mich Mich Mich Mail Carrier RR
Corkins, Lena M Wf F W 46 M28 Mich NY NY
Corkins, Maxine E Dtr F W 15 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Lee C. Son M W 13 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Jean L Son M W 9 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Hazel M Dtr F W 7 S Mich Mich Mich
Corkins, Shirley L Dtr F W 6 S Mich Mich Mich

John married Minnie C. Fell on 14 Oct 1908 in Pennsylvania. Minnie was born on 19 Aug 1879 in Rawsonville, Wayne County, Michigan; died on 5 Feb 1911 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Helen Corkins was born on 2 Jan 1905 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 1 Feb 2005 in Rochester, Oakland County, Michigan.
2. Ivan W. Corkins was born on 2 Jan 1905 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died in May 1985 in Florida.
3. Lucile F. Corkins was born on 16 Dec 1905 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 12 Dec 1986 in Florida; was buried in Colfax Cemetery, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan.

John married Magdalena "Lena" Elizabeth Muck on 20 Mar 1912 in Tuscola County, Michigan. Magdalena (daughter of Adam H. Muck and Magdalena "Lena" Striffler) was born on 9 Jul 1883 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 22 Nov 1931 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Maxine Elizabeth Corkins was born on 6 Sep 1914 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 29 Dec 2020 in Rose City, Ogemaw, Michigan; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Vassar, Tuscola County, Michigan.
2. Lee Calvin "Jack" Corkins was born on 12 Aug 1916 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 1 Jun 1965 in Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.
3. Gene Lewis Corkins was born on 17 Sep 1920 in Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 15 Jun 1965 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; was buried on 17 Jun 1965 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.
4. Hazel Mae Corkins was born on 17 Apr 1922 in Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 4 Feb 2001 in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida.
5. Shirley Lenore Corkins was born on 22 Dec 1923 in Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan; died on 5 Jul 2017 in New Haven, Macomb, Michigan.