BIOGRAPHY

WILLIAM COLVILLE - OF BATAVIA, NY

Colville, William, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., February 25. 1846, a son of Alexander and Mary A. (Westcott) Colville, and was educated in the public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the 2d New York Cavalry, better known as the Harris Light Cavalry, and served for three years, holding the rank of first lieutenant, and was honorably discharged in 1864; he was taken prisoner at New Baltimore, Md.; his regiment participated in 173 engagements. In 1865 he removed to Philadelphia and thence to Worcester, Mass., where he was engaged in railroad business. In 1861 he came to Batavia and became connected with the Baker Gun and Forging Co., and in 1896 established a manufactory for the production of smokeless powder. Mr. Colville is an active member of the G. A. R. and has taken much interest in the work of the organization. In 1895 he was married to his second wife, Venetia Telfair. Mrs. Colville died July 13, 1899. He has one daughter by his first wife-Anna H.

Source: Our County and its people, A descriptive work on Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890