The Corken Family
Thomas Corken was an Ohio native since the age of six who later settled in Nodaway County with his family. Corken was born in 1792 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, before his family relocated to Ohio by travelling down the Ohio River on flat boats. On October 1, 1812, he was drafted in the War of 1812 for a total of forty days. He married Rebecca Jones in June of 1819 and fathered eleven children, six of whom lived to see adulthood. Corken and his wife followed their sons to Nodaway County in 1862.
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The Corken family became notable members of the county by starting businesses that would bring travelers and prestige to the small town of Burlington Junction. Samuel Corken, one of Thomas Corken’s sons, founded the Burlington Mineral Springs, a health spa in Burlington Junction. Visitors traveled for miles for the chance to drink the healing mineral waters of the spa.
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Thomas Corken’s family remain in Missouri to this day, though most have moved farther south to the Kansas City area. His great-grandson William graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1953. William’s brother Jerry served in the Navy, while the third brother, Jack, served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. The Corken family’s rich history of patriotism and entrepreneurship span decades in the area.
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More information can be found by clicking on each photo.
Father of Thomas Corken.
Thomas Corken served in the War of 1812. He followed his son Samuel to Missouri in 1860. The family believes that Samuel Corken settled land given to his father for his role in the War of 1812. He died at the age of 90, and was said to be the oldest man in Nodaway County at the time of his death.
The wife of Thomas Corken. She is buried in Ohio Cemetery in Burlington Junction.
Thomas Corken's headstone in Ohio Cemetery.
A War of 1812 commemorative plaque at Thomas Corken's grave.
Reads "Wife of Tho's Corken Died Nov 23 1865 Aged 65 y. 11 m. 2 d."
Settled in Nodaway County in the 1860s. During the Civil War he was a member of the state volunteers, protecting the northwest part of the state from bushwhackers and guerrillas.
The Corken Mineral Springs Sanitarium was established by Samuel Corken in the 1880s. The bath house was built in 1881, and the frame sanitarium (pictured above) was built in 1882. This building was destroyed by fire in 1914, but a brick hotel continued to serve patients. The hotel remained in service until 1920.
Brothers Jerry, Jack, William, and Jim Corken. Jerry served in the Navy during WWII, while Jack served in the Army. William graduated from Northwest Missouri State University. William and Jim graduated from Northwest Missouri State University. William graduated with a degree in education, while Jim graduated with a degree in physical education.
Photo taken on Aug 1st, 1998, in Overland Park, KS.