William A. Corson was appointed the first Sheriff of Boulder County by Territorial Governor William Gilpin
following the establishment of the Territory of Colorado in 1861. Drawn to the area by the reports of the discovery
of gold, William Corson soon found that the value of the gold extracted was exceeded by the labor invested, and he
eventually settled upon ranching in the Boulder Valley as his principal occupation.
State records also reflect the fact that in 1865, William Corson served as the clerk of a company of volunteer
Colorado Cavalry. County records indicate that he served as County Assessor in 1864 and as the Clerk and Recorder
from 1867-1870.
