History of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, Vermont; 
Edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich; Syracuse, N.Y.; 
D.Mason & Co Publishers; 1891.

County:  Franklin
Township:  Richford

CORLISS, WILLIAM,  was born in Richford eighty years ago, or on 
December 7, 1810, the third of twelve children of Ephraim and Abigail 
(Goff) Corliss.  Both the surnames Corliss and Goff stand for pioneership 
and respectability in Richford.  Ephraim Corliss was a farmer, and on the 
farm William lived and worked until twenty years of age, when he hired out 
by the month for some two or three years.  He married and soon afterwards 
purchased a small farm of 105 acres in the north part of the town, on which 
he lived until 1858, when he bought his present large farm, but still owns the 
old place.  In 1833 Mr. Corliss married Louisa A., daughter of Jonathan 
Carpenter, by whom he had three children, only one of whom, Mrs. Mary 
Goff, is living.  Mr. Corliss commenced his business life with a debt of $4 
for a pair of boots and $6 for a coat.  He has been active in town as well as in 
personal affairs, having three times represented Richford in the General 
Assembly.  He has also been selectman, lister, appraiser of real estate, and 
held other offices of responsibility.

Submitted by Linda Pingel