This short biography can not contain all the history pertaining to one of Crisfield's most famous people. The Corbin Memorial Library in Crisfield, Maryland is named after her and her ashes are stored there. Ask to see it when you come visit. When visiting Crisfield, one would be rewarded to visit the library and read more about her life.

Born March 2, 1882 on Old Island, Crisfield, Somerset County, Maryland.  In the early 1890's Levin Alexander "Alex" and Henrietta Tyler Corbin, along with daughters, Lillian and Rose, moved to Crisfield in a very small house consisting of one room downstairs and one room upstairs. The couple soon separated and Lillian went to live with her father's half sister, Rachel Somers.  At 14 yrs. old, she had never attended school. She began her education with a tutor who considered her a brilliant student. Lillian however, considered herself to a young lady and became dissatisfied with being in class with much younger students. She soon quit before completing the first grade. Becoming disgusted with her home life and everything in general, she saved enough money from her house cleaning jobs, to purchase a one way fare to New York City in 1898.  upon arriving there she  was destitute but was determined to get along on her own. She started selling newspapers for two cents for which she made a penny on each copy sold. 

She soon attracted the attention of a Wall Street banker, Mr. Mayall and later married him??.  It is said that Mr. Mayall was wealthy and evidently taught Lillian her school subjects and had  her tutored in upper class living.  She learned quickly and continued to improve socially and was book learned. Evidently Mr. Mayall died about 1904 and left Lillian a modest fortune.  Soon afterwards, Lillian desired to become an actress and played some small parts in the theater. Her stage name became Lilyan Stratton.  Reportedly, she was talented and successful as an actress but never became a star.  In 1917, she divorced Frank Campeau, her second husband. Friends say that his acting career failed because he lived extravagantly and he was financially dependent upon Lilyan. Also he cast his affections elsewhere.  In the meantime, she guarded her money cautiously, invested it wisely, and was considered rather "well-to-do".  She obtained her divorce in Reno, Nevada in 1917.  In 1920, she married Alfred O. Corbin, an immigrant from Holland, who had lost everything in World War I and came to this country for a new start. He adopted his wife Lilyan's maiden name for his own name, since his real name was unpronounceable in English. He and Lilyan made a fortune in investment banking.

Lilyan was locally known as the most prosperous woman in the Crisfield area. She was the authoress of at least four novels: "Reno", "Homing", " Feminine Philosophy", and "The Wife's Lesson".  Copies of the first two books are in the Corbin Memorial Library, Crisfield, MD.

On November 1, 1928, she and her secretary-niece, Miss Blance Lee Hurst of Parksley, VA, were riding in an open car in Parsippanny, NJ, when Lilyan's scarf blew over her face causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The car crashed and burned the two ladies to death. Her ashes are stored in an urn and sits in a place of prominence in the Corbin Memorial Library. Also her oil portrait and photographs are displayed on the walls. 

Upon writing this biography, Mike Corbin, co-owner  of the Rustic Charm, learned for the first time that he is a direct descendant of Crisfield's most famous and one of it's wealthiest women.

Read her book, Reno

Stratton, Lilyan.  Reno:  a book of short stories and information.  Newark:  Colyer Printing Company, c1921.  Reno, Nevada, social life, romance & divorce laws.

Lilyan Stratton Corbin Genealogy and another Genealogy Link

Source: Cat's Meow Village