In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1843
From History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) (1916)
WILLIAM M. CORLISS.
William M. Corliss, the first county superintendent of schools of Otter Tail county, was born in Vermont, August 6, 1843. He came to Minnesota with his parents in May, 1856, and lived in this state from that time till his death. He enlisted June 26, 1861, in Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served three full years. After his discharge from the service, in May, 1864, he went to Edwards, New York, where he attended school for two years. Returning to Minnesota, he taught school in Winona and Fillmore counties prior to locating in Otter Tail county in 1868. He taught in this county during the winter of 1868-69 and in the spring of 1869 (March 20) he was appointed county examiner by the county commissioners. At their next session (May 20, 1869), he was appointed county superintendent. Nothing is said in the records as to why a second appointment was necessary or why the title of the office was changed. Mr. Corliss filled the office until his death, November 18, 1871. Mr. Corliss was also the first elective clerk of the district court, and was filling this position also at the time of his death, to the present time.
As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name William M. Corliss: Eben E. Corliss (b. 1841)
The printed record stops around 1916. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.