My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS H. CORBETT is the son of Jacob Corbett, Sr., one of the first settlers of the Purchase. He was born on January 8, 1830, in Hickman County, Ky., and received his literary education, chiefly at Clinton, in his native county. In 1843, with his parents, he removed to Ballard County, where he grew to manhood, and there in the meantime he studied law. He began the practice of his profession in Ballard County, continuing until 1855, when he was elected to the State legislature to represent Ballard and McCracken Counties. After the expiration of his term he returned to Ballard County, resuming his practice. In 1860, he was elected to the position of commonwealth’s attorney, the duties of which office he performed with acceptance for two years, and until the fortunes of war rendered it impossible for him to discharge them longer. In 1865, he was again the choice of the people of Ballard County, to represent them in the legislature, which he continued to do for ten years. Retiring from public life in 1875, he removed to Paducah, McCracken County, and engaged in the tobacco trade. In 1882, McCracken County sent him to the legislature as its representative, and in the following year, he made the race for register of the land office in the State of Kentucky, and was defeated for the nomination by only nine votes. The successful candidate, J. G. Cecil, then tendered him the first position under himself, which Mr. Corbett accepted, and which position he is now most efficiently filling, with his home temporarily at the capital, though recognizing Paducah as his home.