BIOGRAPHY

COLBY FAMILY - OF DARIEN, NY

Abner C., Reuben, and Daniel Colby, Sons of Daniel, came from Canaan, N. H., and settled in Darien in 1812. Their brother Aaron came in 1816. All took contracts for land at $3 per acre, with 10 years for payment. Their farms were contiguous and the settlement was known as the Colby neighborhood. With no roads, the nearest mill at Batavia, and with wild animals abundant, these pioneers were able to clear off their land, and convert the forests into cultivated fields. All died where they first settled, and the same farms are still occupied by Colbys.

Abner C. Colby, born May 2, 1776, settled where his son, Levi H. Colby, now lives. November 9, 1816, he married Nancy (Steward) Cutler. He died August 1, 1856, aged 80 years, and his wife in 1862. Their children were Levi H., Abner C., Hiram, and George. Levi H., the eldest, was born on the homestead January 6, 1819. He purchased the homestead from the heirs, and December 25, 1846, married Susan A. Root, by whom he had four children, three of whom died in childhood. The survivor, Dexter D., was born August 14, 1852, and is a farmer in Michigan. Mrs. Colby died June 12, 1859, and Mr. Colby married, March 29, 1860, Elizabeth D. Lincoln by whom he had children as follows: John L., born December 27, 1860, who is a farmer in Michigan; Libbie G., born October 27, 1867; and Levi Henry, born November 8, 1869. The last two live at home. Mr. Colby is a Republican in politics, devotes his time to his farm, and is a highly respected friend and neighbor.

Joshua Colby, son of Reuben, was born in New Hampshire in 1808, and married Elizabeth Town in 1827. In early life he carried on an ashery, Collecting in one winter 3,000 bushels of ashes. He now lives on the Daniel Colby homestead.

Aaron H. Colby, son of Reuben, was born in New Hampshire in 1811, spent his boyhood in Darien, and went to the district school. He married Ellen Beardsley, and settled on the place where he now resides. He is a mason as well as a farmer, but leads a retired life residing with his son Darius H.

FROM: Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890