Biographical Sketch of William H. H. Colley, Doniphan County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

KSGenWeb - The Primary Source for Kansas Genealogy

KSGenWeb Digital Library

Biographical Sketch
of
William H. H. Colley
Doniphan County, Kansas

Page Design, HTML Coding and Layout - Copyright©1998- by Kenneth Thomas, All Rights Reserved.
The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996- by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights Reserved.
For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project. Permission is granted for use only on an Official KSGenWeb Project page.
The Official USGenWeb Project logo designed by Linda Cole.

The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900. These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

William H. H. Colley.

Since 1873 Mr. Colley has been a resident of Kansas. He is, however, a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in West Portsmouth, in the Buckeye state, on the 15th of October, 1844. He is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, John Colley, having been one of the heroes in the war for independence.

Abel Colley, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia and married Miss Catherine Spencer, a daughter of Thomas Spencer. By this union ten children were born, namely: Allen, Sam, Julia, Sarah, William H. H., Jane, James, George, William M. and Mary. The family has always been noted for its loyalty, and during the civil war three of the sons served in the Union army, Allen being a member of the Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, while Sam served for thirteen months in the Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry.

The former is still living in the Buckeye state, but the latter died in Doniphan county in 1865, leaving a family. The father, Abel Colley, spent his last days in Ohio, where his death occurred in March, 1894, at the age of eighty-four years.

William H. H. Colley obtained his education in the public schools, and was only nineteen years of age when he enlisted in his country's service, becoming a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, under the commands of Captain Pitinger and Colonel Webber. He served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, on the 10th of July 1865. His company was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, and was for some time stationed at Ringgold, Georgia, under the command of General Stearnes. Mr. Colley was always found at his post of duty, loyally defending the cause represented by the old flag, and when the war was over he returned to his home in Ohio, with an honorable military record.

On the 18th of February, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Nancy Martin, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Glen and Agatha Martin. Her father died in Missouri and her mother passed away in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Colley now have two children: Julia, the wife of A. D. Miller, of St. Joseph, Missouri, by whom she has three children, Ethel N., Arthur Lloyd and Alvin Manford; and Harrison, who was born November 6, 1875, and is living with his parents.

The children have both been provided with good educational privileges and the daughter was a successful teacher prior to her marriage. In 1873 Mr. Colley came to Kansas and has since been a resident of Doniphan township.

He is now cultivating a good farm in Wayne township, and is accounted one of the leading and progressive agriculturists of his community. His political support is given the Republican party, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day.

Socially he is connected with Wathena Post, G. A. R. As a citizen he is active in the advocacy of all measures for the public good and is today as loyal and true as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle fields of the south. His manner is pleasant and cordial and this has rendered him a popular citizen, bringing him a wide circle of friends.

Last update: Friday, August 02, 2024 18:40:09

The Digital Library of the KSGenWeb is a non-commercial entity dedicated to free access to records of genealogical value. All documents contained herein may be freely copied for personal and library use, as long as the KSGenWeb Statement of Use remains attached. These records may not be published in any format, including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributor. In order to insure continued free access, violators of this policy will be vigorously pursued.

We invite all contributions of transcribed records with genealogical value. This could range from wills and letters from your personal family records to indexes of your county's marriage records. There are many, many more examples, of course. Anything you have that you are willing to contribute will be gratefully accepted. .

We also accept any non-copyrighted printed materials that you have access to and would like to see transcribed and placed on-line. If the material is copyrighted and you are the copyright holder, please include written permission for use by The KSGenWeb Digital Library.

KSGENWEB DIGITAL LIBRARY PAGE
KSGENWEB HOME PAGE