Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 724 - 725

The vast farming interests of Adams county have been prominent factors in the business world of Wisconsin, and among those who have spent the greater part of a useful career within the borders of that county, the gentleman whose name heads this personal history should be accorded a prominent place. He came to this region with his parents when the land was not yet surveyed, and assisted in bringing the agricultural pursuit to its present high standard in Adams county. Mr. Colby was engaged in general farming in Quincy township, and possessed a fine estate comprising two hundred acres, all of which he acquired by dint of his own energetic efforts, supplemented by his honest dealings. This he held until lately. He is now a resident of Thorp, Wisconsin.

Our subject was born in Topsfield, Washington county, Maine, February 12, 1840, and was the son of Johathan Corliss and Sarah Ann (Pettigrove) Colby. His father was born in Bradford, Vermont, October 2, 1806, and died July 23, 1887, at Easton, Adams county, Wisconsin. The mother of our subject was born at Calais, Maine, August 27, 1809, and died at Easton, Wisconsin, July 9, 1895. The father was a farmer by occupation and settled in Topsfield, Maine, where he remained until 1850, when he moved to what is now Easton, Adams county, Wisconsin. At that time it was Indian land and not on the market. He was the first settler with land on the banks of White Creek, and his family of five children were the first white children to reside in that region. They were as follows: Thomas, our subject; William, now residing in Clark county; Harriet A., now Mrs. Waterman, of Kilbourn; Lucy, now Mrs. W. Eddy, of Easton; and Mary, now Mrs. F. York, of Monroe Centre. Two other children were born, as follows: Annie E. died April 20, 1897; and Warren I., now residing on the old homestead in Easton township. On his arrival at Easton the father surveyed one hundred and sixty acres of land and entered a claim, and cleared the land and erected a shanty, into which he moved his family, and remained on the farm until his death. When the township of Easton was organized he was chosen supervisor. He was a man of retiring disposition and did not accept public office. He was a hard worker and accumulated a good estate. He was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, and a man respected by all in the community for his honesty and good citizenship.

Thomas P. Colby was the oldest of the children and of necessity was early put to work to assist in the support of the family. He had gained some schooling before coming to Wisconsin, but afterward did not have the opportunity to attend school. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority, when he married, and he and his family resided on land which his wife owned, for eighteen years, in Easton township. In 1878 he purchased two hundred acres in Quincy township, and moved his family to that estate, and he is still living on the farm.

Mrs. Colby's maiden name was Louisa Goodrich. Her parents died when she was but a young girl, and she was adopted by a family of the name of Raney. At the time of her marriage she was in possession of one hundred acres in Easton township. Her death occurred June 18, 1891, aged sixty-four years. Four children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Colby, as follows: Francis E., born April 7, 1861, now residing in Thorp, Clark county, Wisconsin; Clara A., born April 27, 1862, now Mrs. A. H. Greenwood, of Quincy; Daniel G., born April 3, 1864, now a resident of Thorp, Clark county; and Charles L., born November 24, 1867, now residing on the homestead. Charles L. Colby was married September 8, 1890, to Josephine A. Mihm, daughter of Constantine and Margaret Mihm, of Quincy. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Colby, as follows: Charles K., born March 13, 1891; George D., born April 11, 1892; and Alfred D., born October 4, 1896. They are an interesting group of boys and complete a pleasing family circle.