This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Colby Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wQJ.2ACEB/645 Message Board Post: Transcription of Biographical Sketch From History of McHenry County, Illinois, 1885 Inter-State Pub. Co. Chicago, 1885 p. 85 O. C. Colby was born in Danville, Vt., Dec. 8, 1837, a son of Ira and Mary Colby. His educational advantages were limited, but being ambitious he obtained a good commercial education. He came West with his parents in September, 1840. Being a cripple he was unable to work on the farm, and in 1858 went into the store of O. W. Owens to learn the jeweler's trade. He remained with Mr. Owens a year, and then engaged in business for himself, combining drugs with jewelry. In 1867 he went to Central Illinois, and remained there and in Southern Missouri till 1877, when he returned to McHenry, and in company with his brother opened a general store, having a branch store in Nunda. In 1882 they divided the stock, O. C. taking the store in Nunda. He carries a stock of $15,000 or $18,000, and has an annual sale of about $30,000. Mr. Colby was married June 12, 1864, to Emma E., daughter of W. and A. Colby. They have five children - Bert W., Lule E., Carl O., Earl H., and Ernest E. ! Politically Mr. Colby is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. (Ed. note: Mr. Colby died November 16, 1916, per his obituary)