DOW P. COLT, leading member of commercial circles in Schuyler county, has resided here since 1843, and is entitled to the following space in this history of the pioneers of the State and county. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1828, a son of Alexander and Lucy (Childs) Colt, natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respectively. The maternal grandfather, Alexander Colt., Sr., emigrated to America from Ireland, accompanied by his wife and children; one brother, Judas Colt, also came to this country and settled in New York State. Alexander Colt, Jr., was the youngest of a large family; he grew to maturity in Erie county, and was married there.

In 1843 he removed to Illinois, and settled on a farm near Rushville, Schuyler county, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days. They reared a family of fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to mature years. Dow P. Colt was the second born, and is the oldest of the family now living. When he first came to this State, he was employed in a tannery, and also assisted his father on the farm. At the age of nineteen years he learned the broom-maker's trade, which he followed fourteen years. Having accumulated some means, he embarked in the grocery trade and carried on a thriving business until 1870. During the next five years he sold musical instruments, and from 1875 to 1889 he was engaged in the lumber trade. In the latter year he again took up the grocery business, which he has since continued without interruption.

Mr. Colt was united in marriage, June 2, 1853, to Miss Ellen Kuhn, a daughter of John and Harriet (White) Kuhn; she was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. To them have been born four children: Alice F., wife of George Bissel, Lucy E., Anna B., wife of James Montieth, and William W. In his political convictions Mr. Colt is allied with the Republican party; he has held the office of member of the village Board, but has not been an office seeker.

He was reared amidst Democratic influences, but after the war his father and brothers became Republicans. During the great civil conflict five of his brothers fought for the nation's flag, the youngest being but fifteen years of age: he enlisted, but was rejected on account of defective vision and hearing. He is not a member of any civic or religious societies at the present time, although for many years he was connected with the I.O.O.F.