My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. CORRIGAN. In enumerating the prominent business establishments of Berrien County, mention should be made of the general mercantile house of Parrish & Corrigan, of which the subject of this sketch is the junior member. The firm conducts a large business at Stevensville, and also has a branch store at Barroda, this county. Both in these villages and throughout the surrounding country they are well and favorably known as business men of large resources, excellent judgment and keen discrimination, and their genial courtesy and fair dealings have commended them to the favor of the people.

Mr. Corrigan has passed his entire life in Berrien County — the place of his birth. He was born in Lincoln Township, January 23, 1863, and is the son of John Corrigan, an Irishman by birth, who accompanied his father to America when a mere lad and settled in Canada, where he grew to manhood. Upon coming to Michigan, he located in Lincoln Township and purchased forty acres of unimproved land, upon which no attempt at cultivation had ever been made. He cleared twenty acres and sold the other twenty acres comprising the place. Upon his farm he embarked in the business of raising fruit and continued thus engaged until his death, which occurred in 1881.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Zephia Roberts and was born in Germany, emigrating to the United States in girlhood and settling in Berrien County, Mich. Of her union six children were born, four of whom are living, as follows: Mary, who is the wife of N. Barnes, a farmer residing on the old homestead in Lincoln Township; Annie, Mrs. Alexander Shearer, also a resident of Lincoln Township; Edward, who makes his home at Riverside, Mich., and is engaged in farming pursuits; and John A., of this sketch. Politically, the father of this family was an advocate of free trade and a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He was a successful fruit-grower, and by energy and good management accumulated a valuable property.

In the common schools of Lincoln Township the subject of this sketch received a fair education. At the age of about eighteen he entered the store of William Parrish, where for three years he occupied a clerical position. He then embarked in business for himself, and after conducting the enterprise alone for one year he formed a partnership with his former employer, Mr. Parrish, and purchased the stock owned by W. G. Milke, entering upon a business connection which still continues. Their store is the largest m Stevensville, and the branch establishment opened at Barroda in May, 1891, is also proving a profitable venture. In both places the firm conducts a general banking business.

A Republican in his political preferences, Mr. Corrigan takes an intelligent interest in local affairs and for three years has served as Township Clerk. He was present and assisted in conducting the first election of the incorporated village of Stevensville, and has been in other ways closely connected with the growth and progress of the community. Socially, he is identified with the Royal Arch Masons and the Commandery at St. Joseph, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bridgman.