Son of Ross Mitchell Corbett and Fannie Culbertson (Orr) Corbett.

Married 1) Elizabeth "Lizzie" Culbertson. Together they were parents of Fanny Culbertson (Corbett) Hays, Hunter Merle Corbett, Elizabeth Newton (Corbett) Craighead, and Ross Herbert Corbett.

Married 2) Mary Campbell Nixon. Together they were parents of Charles Hodge Corbett, Grace (Corbett) Wells.

Married 3) Harriet Sutherland on Sept. 3, 1889. Together they were parents of Ross John Corbett, Alice Margaret Corbett, Scott Sutherland Corbett, and Louise (Corbett) Heimburger.
∼A biography also published in the Iron County Chronicle, CCHS publication, Vol. 27 #3
Hunter Corbett's Life and Missions
By Josh Alderton


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Democrat [Clarion, Pa] January 15, 1920

Hunter Corbett, veteran missionary to China, who has linked the United States with China by a life of service, the greater part of his 84 years being spent in China, is dead, according to a cablegram received by his brother, David Lawson Corbett, late of DuBois, now of New York, announcing that he passed away on Jan. 7, 1920.

Clarion county has been honored in giving to Foreign Missions one of its greatest heroes, faithful and untiring. Born on a farm in Porter township, at Leatherwood, his father and mother, Ross M. and Fanny Orr Corbett were among those who made spiritual history.

The sons were: Hunter, born Dec. 8, 1835, Samuel, Newton, Scott, Lawson and two daughters, Mary and Lavinia. Newton was killed in the Civil War.

Dr. Corbett began his work in China in 1865. Of the founding of this work the historian says: Three names are outstanding, Rev. C. W. Mateer, D.D.; Rev. Hunter Corbett, D.D., and Rev. J. L. Nevins, D.D.

Dr. Nevins first visited the province in 1861 continuing until his death in 1893. Dr. Mateer came in 1864 continuing until his death came in 1908. Dr. Corbett came in 1865 and continued until his death Jan. 7, 1920.

Hunter Corbett Academy was founded by him. He belonged to the Shantung province which has a population of 29,000,000 in a region about the size of Missouri. Hardships were many, as in all pioneer blazing of the trail, but he was faithful and industrious and on his furloughs home was a guest of honor everywhere.

The General Assembly in 1906 conferred its highest honor on him by electing him Moderator, but so retiring was he that he went back to China, leaving the honor of preaching the moderator's sermon to the Rev. Ira Landrith.

His last visit to this county was 1911, when he spoke in the Presbyterian churches in New Bethlehem and Clarion and perhaps others.

He was married three times and twelve children were born to him, the oldest Ross dying in China. His namesake, Hunter, was drowned at Leatherwood while visiting, and is buried in the Leatherwood Presbyterian cemetery.

One of his grandsons the son of Fanny Corbett Harp, won a D. S. C. in the late war.

Nearly all his children live in China engaged in missionary and educational work. The work he so loved is on enduring foundations and will perpetuate him more truly and everlastingly than any other monuments.

Dr. Corbett, after finishing the course at Elders Ridge Academy, graduated from Jefferson College now W. & J. in 1860. Then he completed a course in Western Theological and Princeton seminaries. He sailed on the ship St. Paul on July 3rd, 1863, while the battle of Gettysburg was being fought, for China, going around the Cape of Good Hope. His voyage took six months and by reason of the failure of good food and use of inferior rations his health was seriously affected for about twenty years.

When he arrived at Shanghai three physicians advised his immediate return. But he persisted and after fifty-seven years of devoted and untiring service for his Master's Kingdom he now lays down his burden to receive his crown.