In the mid 1970s, retired school teacher Fanny Dean (Corman) Mathews self-published a compilation of genealogy research she had conducted over many years. The nearly 200-page publication was the product of building on a fellow kinsman’s tree published in 1916 Carlisle PA by Charles Cornman.
When I think of how she conducted her research in contrast to the modern relative ease for finding resources on the Internet, I am all the more inspired by her work and the tenacity that must have been required. She wrote letters – no such thing as email then. [Child, can you EVEN imagine it?] Her focus appears to have been recording the demographic details – births, marriages, siblings, deaths, locations, etc. As it was, she was working with knowledge of two of her own 32 great-grandparents, if not more.
The Corman surname is widely known throughout central Kentucky and has evolved from the original spelling – Kornmann. The pioneer ancestor of this paternal family tree branch was born in 1713 near Munich, Germany. At 24 years old, he emigrated to America – sailing from Rotterdam and landing in Philadelphia in 1737. Ludwig Kornmann, Sr. and his wife were early settlers and eventually, they made a home in Lancaster, PA. Their seventh child served under Gen. Washington in the notorious winter of Valley Forge.
Their eleventh child and my direct ancestor, son Abraham Cornman, Sr., arrived in Jessamine Co, Kentucky and had thirteen children of his own – five of whom are mapped in the two Kornmann-family tree publications. Numerous resources in Jessamine Co KY archival material indicate these Corman siblings lived in the same vicinity on Jessamine Creek three miles southwest of Nicholasville.
As Abraham of The Bible and the stars of the sky, the Abraham Corman family prospered and multiplied. An enclave of German Protestants representing other surnames of my family tree included Earthenhousers, Easleys, Funks, Grows, Rhorers, Rices, and Yosts. These “United Brethren” as they were known were members of the Morovian Church. The original Morovian Church, located on present-day Short Shun Pike, was also the site of a school.
Abraham Sr.’s third child, son George A. Corman, Sr., served as a private for Kentucky’s volunteer Militia in the War of 1812 and fought along with his younger brother, John, in the Battle of River Raisin. John Corman, just fifteen years old, has been cited as firing the first shot at this conflict.
Unlike the families before him, my paternal great-grandfather, Surber, was an only child. This will continue to be a question that I seek to answer in my research. Surber inspired my grandmother Fanny Dean – along with her siblings – to serve as active members of the numerous Corman Family branches quite literally spread out across the United States. The annual Corman family reunion was a significantly attended occasion bringing travelers from near and far. I feel a kind of melancholy that we do not still gather.
Forward from “Whose Corman Are You?”
“This book is dedicated to
some favorite ancestor of yours
and to my father
Surber
Who was proud of being a Corman
And whose chief topic of conversation
when Cormans got together was —
“And now…Whose Corman are you?”
Compiled by
Fanny Dean Corman Mathews
A3-B11-C3-D7-E1-F3
My grandmother was a voracious reader and I suspect she went to the library far more frequently in a week than to church. I grew up knowing of her book. And, it delighted little me to no end that my name and the names of family members appeared in the book. It was big in my little world and I was somebody in a way that had not been validated as such before. Fast forward to today, this publication has taken on a different significance. It is a road map. With fresh eyes, I read Fanny Dean’s call to action on the inside cover, I think of the 128 individuals that were my fifth-great grandparents and all their stories. It excites me to think of all the possibilities waiting to be discovered.
As if her own voice speaking these words to me –
“It is hoped that this information will make it easier for anyone who wishes to carry the work further.”
I hear you calling, Fanny Dean.
Fanny Dean Corman Mathews (circa early 1970s)
that Kentucky girl 
My Grandfather was Chester Snowden/ Corman from Sapulpa Ok but bornin Jessamine and my Grandmother was Opal.. my father’s name is Autis Lee Corman
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Thank you for responding. I will investigate in my records. Nice to meet you, Romona!
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Hello! Do you happen to know where a copy of this book may still be available for purchase? My grandmother is Jane Corman, daughter of Paul Corman and Mary Drury. I would love to add a copy of this book to my genealogy library! And to perhaps help continue on the family tree!
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Kate,
Hello Corman kin,
Thank you for reaching out and please forgive my delayed response. I do not know if copies are available for purchase. I believe the Jessamine County (KY) Public Library has a copy in their collections. I love that you are interested in helping continue the legacy. I knew Fanny Dean, my paternal grandmother, who called us to take her work forward. I will look into status of the copyright and see if we can provide you with a copy for your library. Let’s stay connected!
Cynthia
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Hello, Cynthia! Please forgive me for my late response as well! I will definitely try to stop by that library the next time I am in KY visiting family! My career has taken me to the middle of the mountains in MT, so it’s difficult for me to get to KY at the moment. I did find one paperback copy of the Corman History book online to purchase, but unfortunately it is the edition that doesn’t include my more immediate family in it and that is the copy I am specifically looking for. If the copyright is still active, I’d love to purchase a copy for my library!
Cousinly yours,
Kate
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