I disagree with the premise. Because corporations were limited in charter, doesn't mean that they were run by the government. When they were dissolved they were liquidated to the shareholders, which is the essence of private ownership, not socialism.
Unfortunately, the government, probably to increase its power over the people, and, yes probably due to the undue influence of the wealthy seeking more wealth and power, with taxes forced people to even incorporate their families to retain any of their private wealth. Income tax, property tax, social security tax, and medicare tax, unemployment tax, medical insurance tax and death tax effectively socialize us and leave us with only an illusion of private ownership of property and assets. And, that illusion is becoming more and more transparent.