Corbin Block (Cooley's Block) - Revised 20 May 2011

Corbin Block at the corner of Broadway and Ellen Street. The corner building is occupied by the Union City National Bank. On the top of the building is a stone marker noting the building as the "Cooley Block built in 1870". The business to the left of the bank is D. W. Chase, Jeweler and Optician, with the next business identied in the picture as H. G. Fink. (Below are two cropped pictures from this picture.)

Note - Regarding the "Corbin Block" ...(from the publication titled "CHRONICLES OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN by Dwight E. Youngs, Union City, Mich., D. J. Easton Printer, 1893)" page 15 reads: ....And now it came to pass, that because of the fine brick stores on the east side, and none but old wooden structures on the opposite, that it was decided to erect anew on that side, and that with brick. And the Deacon, called Cooley, did purchase the corner on Broadway where Thomas the Publican had built and kept an inn and which had been added to and Union Hall built over some rooms used for stores. And so it was, that the Deacon caused the entire corner to be cleared off, one part moved to the west end of Ellen street where it was transformed into a dwelling house, while other portions were moved to other parts of town. And then was erected the three-story block on the west side of Broadway, and known as Cooley's Block as long as the Deacon lived, but now called Corbin's Block. And a good deal changed it is from the original. The bank being moved from the center to the northeast corner, and the hall which in its day was the pride of the city, as the Deacon has been lo(sic) these many years deserted, even since the old M. E. church was transformed into an opera house.

Note - Regarding the K. O. T. M. ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903), EARLY HISTORY OF UNION CITY, reads: ....ST. JOSEPH TENT NO. 93, K. O. T. M. (Knights of the Maccabees) Has the largest membership of any fraternal organization in Union City, there now being one hundred eighty-one members upon the roll. It was organized April 23, 1883, and new members have been added almost weekly. The first officers were: Past Commander, F. C. Rheubottom; Commander, Geo. E. Smith; Lt. Commander, M. F. Buell; Record Keeper, W. H. Bond; Finance Keeper, A. M. Lester. The total amount of insurance carried by members is $202,000, and the following claims have been paid: Disability, $1,400; old age $500; death claims, $7,000. For a number of years St. Joseph Test has been very commodious and comfortable quarters in the third story of the Corbin block, where are lodge rooms, as well as a large hall for public assemblages. The present officers are as follows: Commander G. W. Kent; Lt. Commander, A. C. Krieble; Record Keeper, W. H. Rowe; Finance Keeper, W. E. Rupright; Chaplain, Alva Foster; Physician, Dr. E. H. Hurd; Sergeant, Edwin Chaffie; M. A., Clark Cosier; 1st M. G., H. W. Bradner; and M. G., Bert Ogden; Sentinel, Sanford Engles; Picket, Chas. Whitmore; Trustees, G. W. Kent, W. E. Ruright, M. Vosburgh.

BOUND TO WIN HIVE NO. 431, L. O. T. M. (Ladies of the Maccabees) Was organized in April, 1894, and the membership has steadily grown since that date. The Hive meets in the same rooms as the St. Joseph Tent, K. O. T. M., and it proves a valuable adjunct to that order, particularly in a social way. Informal social meetings of a semi-public nature are held at frequent intervals and several banquets are held each year. Bound To Win Hive now numbers about seventy members and is officered as follows: Past Lady Commander, Mrs. Lola Corwin; Lady Commander, Mrs. Alice Rowe; Lieutenant Lady Commander, Mrs. Ella Warner; Record Keeper, Mrs. Ada Merrifeild; Finance Keeper, Mrs. Dollie Rupright; Chaplain, Mrs. Meda Minto; M. at A., Mrs. Jennie Dubendorf; Sergeant, Mrs. Cora Cosier; Sentinel, Mrs. Retta Martin; Picket, Mrs. Sarah Rheubottom; Physician, Dr. E. H. Hurd.

The business located in the three story building behind the Corbin Block has a sign noting:

C. B. BARTLETT

FURNITURE &

UNDERTAKING

Wall Paper

The building later housed the Amstutz Hatchery that was run by Alvin & Ruby Scherry until it closed in 1972.