Severo Corpus worked as a pearl diver in Broome. His date of arrival is unknown. He married a Yawuru woman, Maria Emma Ngobing (or Pelean) on 4 May 1898. They had six daughters—Ester, Louise, Regina, Olalia, Josephine and Halina. Two died in childhood.

Aside from where he lived with his family, he had another house at Thangoo where he built a little jetty at a creek, which later became known as Severo’s Creek. Severo first worked as a diver and boat repairer, and later started his own business by providing the pearling luggers with fresh water, wood, and other supplies.

Elsta Foy described her grandfather as very strict and religious. Elsta’s father, Edward Roe, was known for speaking up against discrimination of other Asians. He managed two butcher shops and owned a café in Chinatown.