Corliss Township, organized January 3, 1884, was named in honor of Eben Eaton Corliss, of Fergus Falls, who was born in Fayston, VT, September 1, 1841, and died in St. Paul, July 21, 1917. He came to Minnesota in 1856, when his parents settled in Winona county; served during the civil war in the Second Minnesota regiment; was admitted to practice law in 1870, and in the same year settled near Battle Lake, building the first frame house in Otter Tail County; removed to Fergus Falls in 1874; was the first county attorney, 1871-75, and again held this office in 1879-85; was a representative in the legislature in 1872; was a member of the State Capitol Commission, 1893-1908; and after 1910 was custodian of the capitol.
Source: The Book “Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance” Volume 17 – 1920 By Warren Upham”
