Oregon Republican League: Elder Photos

Oregon Republican League:Republican League Register of Oregon, The Register Publishing Company, 1896, page 30.

CORBETT, HENRY W., OF Portland, was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, February 18, 1827. he early entered mercantile pursuits in New York City and State, and in 1850 shipped a stock of goods round the Horn to Portland, coming himself by Isthmus the following spring to meet them. From that time he pursued a business career that has made him closely identified with Portland’s growth. He is better known in connection with the First National Bank and Corbett, Failing & Co. than any other if his numerous successful enterprises. In 1865 he secured the mail contract between Portland and Sacramento, and put on a stage line. In 1869 he joined with Henry Failing in purchasing the First National Bank, which institution they still manage, and I n1871 the firm of Corbett, Failing & Co. was formed. He has been a promoter of many important enterprises. Mr. Corbett was a Whig until the Republican party was formed, and was one of the leaders in the latter in Oregon. He became chairman of the state central committee, and was instrumental in uniting all loyal voters in the Union party in 1862. In 1867 he was elected to the United States Senate, where he strongly advocated the building of the Northern pacific Railroad. His debates on finance and the funding bill received national recognition. His name has been frequently mentioned since in connection with senatorial honors. He has continued to take an active interest in party success, and has been in nearly every convention and league meeting for a third of a century.