JUDGE WILLIAM H. COLBY. - William H. Colby, recently deceased and serving as probate judge of Sangamon county up to the time of his demise, was actively connected with the profession having important bearing upon the welfare of every community and one in which he attained a position of distinction that classed him with the leading members of the bar. He was also accounted one of the representative men of the city by reason of the deep and helpful interest he took in community affairs, being the recognized champion of many measures which have contributed to the upbuilding and substantial development of Springfield. His life, too, stood in exemplification of one of the fundamental elements of our national existence - that the path of opportunity is open to all and that recognition is accorded to individual merit. Surrounded by one fortunate circumstances or environments that made smooth his path to prominence, Judge Colby, in the face of many difficulties and obstacles, prepared for the bar while his close application and earnest labor enabled him to leave the ranks of mediocrity and stand among the successful few.

Judge Colby is a native of Orange county, New York, born September 14, 1849. He was but six months old when his parents. James and Ann (Abbott) Colby, came to Illinois, the family home being established in Cook county. The father was a railroad contractor and was extensively connected with the building of the early railroad lines in this state, following that pursuit until his death, which occurred in 1858. In 1863 his wife passed away. Previously Judge Colby had located in Springfield. He had not friends here and was dependent entirely upon his own resources for a living, but he soon manifested the elemental strength of his character, and improving each opportunity as it was presented he gradually advanced to a foremost position in the Sangamon county bar. He first sought and obtained employment with George Bergen, a farmer living east of Springfield, in whose employ he remained for ten years. He worked by the month and during that time did whatever he could to advance his education. Becoming imbued with the desire to make the practice of law his life work, he borrowed law volumes from the Hon. Charles A. Keyes, which he read in the evenings and on rainy days, when work in the fields was impossible. He did not make known his intention or plans for a long time, but kept his books hidden in a wheat bin and studied as he found opportunity. Before he had regularly entered an office as a law student he had gained quite a comprehensive understanding of the common law as set forth in the writings of Blackstone and other authorities. His literary education was acquired in the country schools and in the Presbyterian College, of Springfield and he fully realized the value of broad general learning as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. He also devoted one year to study in the college of which Dr. John G. Scott, the father-in-law of Benjamin Harrison, was the president. After completing his literary education he entered the office of Patton & Lanphier, well-know attorneys of Springfield, who directed his reading until he was admitted to the bar in January, 1878.

Judge Colby then entered upon his professional career, which has been one of continued success. Like all young lawyers, he had to demonstrate his ability ere a good clientage could be secured, but in the early days of his connection with the bar he showed a ready adaptability, great thoroughness in the preparation of cases and unfaltering devotion to his clients' interests. These qualities soon won for him a growing business, and in course of his connection with the Sangamon county bar he handled many important cases. He was an orator of considerable ability, pleasing in manner, skillful in the arraignment of his adversary and possessing the faculty of so holding the attention of his hearers as to make them eager to catch the next sentence. These oratorical gifts proved of value to him in his law practice. In 1882 he was elected city attorney. Previous to that time he was in partnership with William F. Herndon, and in 1884 he formed a partnership with Robert L. McGuire, under the firm name of McGuire & Colby, which was continued until 1889. In that year Judge Colby was appointed master in chancery. Later he entered into partnership relations with Judge George Murray, under the firm style of Colby & Murray, and they were thus connected in practice until Mr. Murray was re-elected county judge. Mr. Colby was then alone in practice until 1902, when he was chosen judge of the probate court, and he had the honor of being the first incumbent in this office under the new law. The probate court was established in December, 1902. The business of this office had formerly been executed by the clerk, but by legislative act when a county reaches the population of seventy thousand it establishes a probate court, and Judg Colby was chosen to preside over the one in Sangamon county. He was assisted by H. B. Harcourt, who acted as his chief clerk.

Judge Colby was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Cantrill, a daughter of Joel Cantrill, who was a native of Kentucky and became one of the early settlers of Sangamon county, his death occurring September 4, 1866. His birth had occurred in Green county, Kentucky, January 8, 1811, and he was married in Sangamon county, May 16, 1839, to Zarilda E. Branch. Ten children were born unto them in Sangamon county, of whom Henry A. Cantrill and Mrs. Colby were twins. Unto the Judge and his wife five children were born: Charles P., who is now a practicing physician of Springfield, was married October 30, 1903, to Miss Grace Bullard, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois; Honoretta Bertha became the wife of J. L. Hall, of Mechanicsburg, in January, 1904; George Bergen is now a law student in the State University at Champaign, Illinois; Mabel L. is engaged in school teaching; and Louella Catherine completes the family. In his religious views Judge Colby was a Presbyterian and with his family was identified with the First Church of that denomination in Springfield. In 1882 he joined the Masonic fraternity and belonged to St. Paul's Lodge, No. 500, A.F. & A.M. Deeply interested in affairs pertaining to the welfare and progress of the city, he served as a member of the park board of Springfield and gave effective and earnest support to many measures for the general good. He was a man of forceful individuality and of strong intellect and made excellent use of his powers throughout a professional career which has won for him the honor and respect, not only of his colleagues, but also of the general public, and Springfield numbered him among its representative men.