Photograph of Samuel E. Corbin

Samuel E. Corbin (b. 1882, d. 1960) was raised in Dublin and came to Worthington in 1902 after graduating from Dublin High School to assist Frank P. Goble at his undertaking business in Worthington. He married Cornelia Vest in 1906 and the couple raised one son, Frank Goble Corbin.

In a column called "Meet Your Merchant" that appeared in the September 2, 1954 Worthington News, the history of Samuel Corbin's involvement in the undertaking business is described in detail. Corbin ran the establishment for over 50 years at 681 High Street, which was Col. James Kilbourn's business building in Worthington's early years. The article describes, "In the early days of assisting Mr. Goble, Mr. Corbin graduated from both Bliss Business College and the Clark School of Embalming in Cincinnati. As the town was much smaller than today (less than five hundred people), there were fewer funerals, leaving Mr. Corbin spare hours for a picture framing business on the side which he conducted for a time in a rear room. When Sam Corbin arrived in Worthington in 1902, he found its citizens crossing High Street on large stepping stones. Not only has Worthington come a long way since this time, but the funeral business itself has gone through many changes. Until the time of motor vehicles, the hearse was drawn by black horses whose heads were ceremoniously draped in black net, and the 'cabs' in which the family and friends rode were rented from a Columbus firm, the number denoting the prominence of the one deceased. It has only been in the last twenty-five years that the 'funeral home' idea has come into existence. Previous to this time, the embalming was done in the home, and the services were held there or in the church. In 1916, Mr. Corbin bought the business and building from Mr. Goble, and shortly after, installed motor equipment with ambulance service. In 1939, his son, Frank Corbin, an alumnus of Ohio State University and the Cleveland College of Embalming, was made a partner and the firm became the S. E. Corbin and Son Funeral Home. Abner E. Pinney, also a graduate of the Cleveland College of Embalming, has been assistant to Mr. Corbin for twenty five years, and Ross Smiley has been employed for the last five. In keeping with modern improvements, the funeral home's chapel was equipped with air conditioning in 1911. Samuel E. Corbin's interest in his community dates back to the early Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association days, and, as a member of the Village Council for many years, was in office when the public water system, sewers, and electric lights were installed, the streets paved, and the walks put through the square. Mr. Corbin is a member of the Businessmen’s Association, the Masons, the IOOF, and has been Vice-President of the Worthington Savings Bank since 1930."