- CHARLES A. COLBY, who is engaged in the restaurant business
at Clinton, Wis., was born in
- New Vineyard, Franklin Co., Me., on the 13th day of July,
1839. His parents, Nathan D. and Sybil (PEASE) COLBY, were also
natives of the same State, and in 1842, when our subject was
but three years of age, emigrated to Rock County, settling in
Beloit, which was then a small village, there being but three
houses on the west side of the river. Their family numbered seven
children, as follows: Alphues, the eldest, enlisted in the 3d
Maine Infantry and gave his life in defense of his country, being
killed at the battle of Frederick; Charles A., of this sketch,
is the second in order of birth; William is now editor of the
Free Press, published at Burlington, Wis.; Alvin P. is now editing
the Union Grove Enterprise; Ida is the wife of Nelson McKEE,
a resident of Beloit; Nathan is editor of the Pecatonica News,
published at Pecatonica, Ill.; Frank is a resident farmer of
Chase City, Va. Since removing with his family to Rock County
in 1842, Nathan COLBY has made his home here. He is now seventy-nine
years of age, and is a highly respected citizen. In early life
he cast his ballot with the Old Whig party, voted for William
Henry Harrison in 1840, and in 1888 supported the illustrious
grandson of that General. His sons have all followed in the footsteps
of their father in the political life, and are worthy and valued
citizens. The death of Mrs. COLBY occurred in December, 1884.
She was a most estimable lady and a sincere and consistent Christian,
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
- Coming with his parents to Rock County at the early age of
three years, our subject was reared to
- manhood in Beloit, receiving his education in the public
schools of that city. With fearful interest he watched the dark
cloud of war which gathered over the country, determined that
if necessary he would strike a blow for his country's freedom.
When Ft. Sumter was fired upon and its echoes for war and ere
three days had passed, had offered his services as a defender
of the stars and stripes, enlisting in Company F, 1st Wisconsin
Infantry, under Col. (afterward General) Starkweather. Being
mustered in at Milwaukee, the regiment was then sent to Chambersburg,
Pa., thence to Williamsport and on to Falling Waters, where they
met the enemy in an engagement, several of the company being
wounded, while one, George Drake, was killed, the date of his
death being July 2, 1861. In August, the term of enlistment,
three months, having expired, they were mustered out of service.
- On the 30th day of the same month Mr. COLBY re-enlisted,
becoming a member of the 4th
- Wisconsin Battery, under Capt. John Valce. The Company was
mustered in at Racine, and in January, 1862, was sent to Washington,
D.C., then on to Baltimore and subsequently to Ft. Monroe, where
it remained about ten months. It was at Suffolk during the siege
of Longstreet, and while there he witnessed the encounter between
the Monitor and the Merrimac, which had previously sunk the "Cumberland"
and the "Congress," two of the best vessels of the
Union Navy. The victory there achieved was the first real success
gained by the Union Navy, and the feeling of joy which swept
over the country, when the result was announced, can better be
imagined than described. That scene, Mr. COLBY says, was the
grandest sight which he has even been permitted to witness. In
May, 1863, the 4th Wisconsin Battery was ordered from Suffolk
and participated in the raid on Yorktown under Gen. Dix, then
on to Gloucester Point, where it was stationed until the following
fall. Orders then came to go into winter quarters at Portsmouth,
and the following spring it participated in the Blackwater raid,
after which it marched to James River, under the command of Gen.
Butler, and was in the front ranks during the siege of Richmond,
which continued during the greater part of the summer. At the
battle of Malvern Hill, the army suffered defeat, losing all
their guns, which they recaptured, however, on the 1st of next
May. After the surrender of Lee, when hostilities had ceased,
the company was discharged and mustered out at Richmond.
- Returning to his home at the close of the war, Mr. COLBY
there remained until the spring of 1866,
- when, being attracted by the discovery of gold at Pike's
Peak he crossed the plains to Colorado, and remained in the west
for one year. Returning to his home in 1870, he was united in
marriage with Miss Martha A. HILTON, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth
HILTON, early settlers of Beloit. The lady is a native of Oswego,
N.Y., and by their union one child has been born, Charles N.
- In July 1871, Mr. COLBY removed to Milwaukee, where he remained
until the fall of 1881, when
- he went to Burlington, Wis., and engaged in the restaurant
business for about a year and a half. At the end of that time
he sold out and removed to Janesville, but subsequently resided
in Rockford, where he made his home until coming to Clinton.
He here embarked in the restaurant business, and has built up
a good trade, which he richly deserves. He possesses that energy
and ability which ensures success, and is a leading citizen of
the community where the greater part of his life has been spent.
In political affiliations, he is a stalwart Republican, and socially,
is a member of the G.A.R. Post. We are pleased to record his
sketch in the history of his adopted county, knowing that it
will be received with pleasure by his many friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 459-460.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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