Thomas P. Corbett

Thomas Patrick Corbett (September 15, 1914 – May 10, 1995) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge. He was a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for ten years in Racine County. He also served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

The Honorable Thomas P. Corbett
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Racine Circuit, Branch 2
In office August 1, 1978 – July 31, 1979
Preceded by	Transitioned from 21st Circ.
Succeeded by	Stephen A. Simanek
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 21st Circuit, Branch 2
In office July 1969 – July 31, 1978
Preceded by	Position Established
Succeeded by	Transitioned to Racine Circ.
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Racine 1st district
In office January 6, 1941 – January 4, 1943
Preceded by	John L. Sieb
Succeeded by	Carl C. Christensen
Personal details
Born	Thomas Patrick Corbett September 13, 1914 Marinette, Wisconsin
Died	May 10, 1995 (aged 80) King, Wisconsin
Resting place	Calvary Catholic Cemetery Racine, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Lucille K. Tarro (m. 1942; died 1996)
Children	Thomas Corbett Patti Corbett
Mother	Georgine (Allen) Corbett
Father	William J. Corbett
Education	Marquette University Ph.B. Marquette University Law School LL.B.
Profession	lawyer, judge
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1943–1945
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War II

Biography

Born in Marinette, Wisconsin, Corbett and his family moved to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1918.[1] Corbett graduated from St. Catherine's High School and then received his bachelor's degree from Marquette University and his law degree from Marquette University Law School. He briefly practiced law, but was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in his first year out of law school, representing the city of Racine, Wisconsin, as a Republican.[1] He served in the legislature for two years, then, in 1943, enlisted with the United States Navy for service in World War II.[2]

He returned from the war in 1945 and resumed his law practice. In 1949, the Racine city council appointed him City Attorney, where he remained for the next thirteen years. In 1961, he was elected to one of the newly created branches of the Racine County court and was instrumental in establishing the court in Burlington, Wisconsin, in the far western part of the county. He served there until his election as a judge of the Racine-based 21st circuit in 1969. His service bridged the 1978 reorganization of Wisconsin trial courts, which saw the circuit and county courts merged, and finished his judicial service in 1979 as a judge of the Racine circuit.[2]

After his retirement, Corbett served as a reserve judge in Racine and Waushara counties.[2]

Corbett died at the Veteran's Home in King, Wisconsin.[2]

Family

Corbett married Lucille K. "Terry" Tarro in 1942. They had two children.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 1st District Election, 1940[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
Primary Election, September 1940
	Republican	Thomas P. Corbett	2,681	46.96%
	Democratic	Adolphe L. Pezanoski	1,747	30.60%
	Progressive	John L. Sieb (incumbent)	1,281	22.44%
Total votes			'5,709'	'100.0%'
General Election, November 1940
	Republican	Thomas P. Corbett	5,314	43.27%
	Progressive	John L. Sieb (incumbent)	4,102	33.40%
	Democratic	Adolphe L. Pezanoski	2,864	23.32%
Total votes			'12,280'	'100.0%'
	Republican gain from Progressive

Notes

1. Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1942). "Members of the legislature". The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1942 (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 62.
2. Transcript of Memorial Service, Racine County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, March 22, 1996 Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
3. Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G., eds. (1942). "Parties and elections". The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1942 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 596, 670.