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L. COLBY was born on 2 AUG 1883 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois.
He appeared in the census on 8 JUN 1900 in Pecatonica, Winnebago County, Illinois.
(living at home with father and mother.) He died on 9 JAN 1966.
Parents: Frank L. COLBY and Lorena DRURY. Spouse: Allie POMEROY. Richard L. COLBY and Allie POMEROY were married on 30 OCT 1926. Richard Lee COLBY was born on 25 MAY 1895 in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. He appeared in the census on 5 JUN 1900 in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 22 APR 1910 in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 15 JAN 1920 in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. (living at home with father and mother.) He has Ancestral File Number 12Q1-F27. Parents: Albert Ladd COLBY and Agnes Wilson LEE. Richard Leon COLBY was born on 11 OCT 1903 in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas. He appeared in the census on 22 APR 1930 in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 2 OCT 1987. He was buried in OCT 1987 in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas. Parents: Charles Alonzo COLBY and Mary Jane LAWSON. Spouse: Dorinda WEBER. Richard Leon COLBY and Dorinda WEBER were married about 1931. Richard M. COLBY was born in 1918 in Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He appeared in the census in 1920 in Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census in 1930 in Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) He died in 1944. Parents: Hugh Dudley COLBY and Hazel Fayette AYER. Richard Mark COLBY was born on 29 OCT 1959 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois. Parents: Richard Allen COLBY and Georgia Lee DOBLE. Richard Morrill COLBY was born in FEB 1933 in Maine. Parents: Morrill Pierce COLBY and Phyllis C. SHERMAN. Richard Reeder COLBY was born in MAR 1928 in Minnesota. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minnesota. (livng at home with mother.) Parents: William Davis COLBY VI and Marion REEDER. Richard Rockefeller COLBY was born in 1915 in Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Charles Andrew COLBY and Grace Catherine ALLINDER. Richard Rollo COLBY was born on 11 MAY 1938. Parents: Rollo Edward COLBY and Ella Bertina HANSON. Spouse: Twila Hope SNELLMAN. Richard Rollo COLBY and Twila Hope SNELLMAN were married on 12 JUN 1958. Children were: Timothy Richard COLBY, James Hugo COLBY. Richard S. COLBY was born on 19 JAN 1814 in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. SOURCES: (1) Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. Amesbury; (2) "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970. Parents: James COLBY and Nancy RAND. Richard Sherman COLBY was born on 2 JUN 1932 in Paris, Oxford County, Maine. Parents: Sherman A. COLBY and Ruth Stowell WOLFE. Spouse: Irene May MILLET. Richard Sherman COLBY and Irene May MILLET were married on 14 JUN 1952 in Maine. Children were: Paula Ruth COLBY, Paul Richard COLBY, Debbie Irene COLBY, Dana Andrew COLBY, Faith Anne COLBY. Richard Sullivan COLBY was born on 25 MAY 1915 in Woodsville, Grafton County, New Hampshire. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Ronald Edson COLBY and Gertrude T. SULLIVAN. Richard Tucker COLBY was born in NOV 1872 in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. (living with uncle Frederick Colby.) He appeared in the census in 1900 in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. He died in 1945 at Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. He was buried in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. (New Evergreen Cemetery.) Parents: Alexander COLBY and Abigail ROBINSON. Spouse: Julia Mae BARTER. Richard Tucker COLBY and Julia Mae BARTER were married on 26 JAN 1889 in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 9767; Index to vital records prior to 1892 for Maine.) Children were: Lineus H. COLBY, Maurice H. COLBY. Richard W. COLBY was born on 8 NOV 1915 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts. He appeared in the census on 28 FEB 1920 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 14 APR 1930 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 15 AUG 1999 at Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama. He had Social Security Number 019-14-9462. Social Security Death Index Name: Richard W. Colby SSN: 019-14-9462 Last Residence: 36116 Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, United States of America Born: 8 Nov 1915 Last Benefit: 36116 Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, United States of America Died: 15 Aug 1999 State (Year) SSN issued: Massachusetts (Before 1951 ) Parents: Chester Earle COLBY and Addie M. WHITE. Richard Walter COLBY was born on 11 OCT 1909 in Whitefield, Coos County, New Hampshire. He died on 4 APR 1999 at Glencliff, Grafton County, New Hampshire. Buried: Pine Street Cemetery, Whitefield, Coos County, New Hampshire. He had Social Security Number 001-12-7047 . State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: New Hampshire Death Residence Localities ZIP Code: 03238 Localities: Glencliff, Grafton, New Hampshire Parents: Leon A. COLBY and Grace L. HOWARD. Richard Wayne COLBY was born on 4 OCT 1924 in Iola, Allan County, Kansas. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 13 DEC 1973 at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. He had Social Security Number 512-18-8076. Parents: Clyde Eugene COLBY and Mary "Mimmie" SKINNER. Richard Woodman COLBY was born on 20 MAR 1908 in Tilton, Belknap County, New Hampshire. He appeared in the census on 2 MAY 1910 in Tilton, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 7 JAN 1920 in Tilton, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 15 APR 1930 in Tilton, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 19 JAN 1985 at Wareham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Ancestry.com; Massachusetts Death Index, 1970-2003.) He had Social Security Number 001-12-5712 . Social Security Death Index Name: Richard Colby SSN: 001-12-5712 Last Residence: 02739 Mattapoisett, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States of America Born: 20 Mar 1908 Died: Jan 1985 State (Year) SSN issued: New Hampshire (Before 1951 ) Parents: Charles Wilbur COLBY and Eva Kathaline SEARS. Spouse: Evelyn Elizabeth LEAVITT. Richard Woodman COLBY and Evelyn Elizabeth LEAVITT were married about 1931. Children were: Charles Edwin COLBY. Riley COLBY was born on 5 FEB 1825 in Holland, Erie County, New York. He died on 17 FEB 1825 at Holland, Erie County, New York. Parents: Nathan COLBY and Eunice BLOOD. Rilla Theda COLBY was born on 6 AUG 1918 in San Bernardino County, California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995 Record Name: Rilla T Colby Birth Date: 6 Aug 1918 Gender: Female Mother's Maiden Name: Beard Birth County: San Bernardino Parents: Clyde Roy COLBY and Lyda Bell BEARD. Spouse: Wilbur Eugene ANGLE. Wilbur Eugene ANGLE and Rilla Theda COLBY were married about 1940. Children were: Wilbur Eugene ANGLE. Spouse: Clair REYNOLDS. Clair REYNOLDS and Rilla Theda COLBY were married date unknown. Spouse: Lloyd Leslie JOHNSTON. Lloyd Leslie JOHNSTON and Rilla Theda COLBY were married date unknown. Rilly COLBY was born on 23 SEP 1794 in Salisbury, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) Parents: Capt. Philip COLBY and Abra GREELEY. Spouse: Joseph SEVERANCE. Joseph SEVERANCE and Rilly COLBY were married on 10 FEB 1822 in Springfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. Rinaldo Anastas Lester COLBY was born on 31 MAR 1881 in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: NEHGS, Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910.) He appeared in the census on 11 JUN 1900 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census in 1910 in Auburn, Androscoggin County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 5 JAN 1920 in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 18 APR 1930 in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. Parents: John Henry COLBY and Rose May MELONSON. Spouse: Fannie F. BENNETT. Rinaldo Anastas Lester COLBY and Fannie F. BENNETT were married on 1 APR 1905 in Maine. Children were: Leola COLBY, Ira A. COLBY, Rinaldo J. COLBY. Rinaldo J. COLBY was born in NOV 1914 in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 5 JAN 1920 in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 18 APR 1930 in Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Rinaldo Anastas Lester COLBY and Fannie F. BENNETT. Spouse: Ruth E. CHASE. Rinaldo J. COLBY and Ruth E. CHASE were married on 1 MAR 1964 in Maine. Robelina G. COLBY was born in 1843 in Kittery, York County, Maine. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Kittery, York County, Maine. (living at home with father and mother.) She appeared in the census in 1860 in Kittery, York County, Maine. (living at home with father.) Parents: Charles COLBY and Margary SPINNEY. Robert COLBY was born on 23 FEB 1594/95 in Aslacky, Lincolnshire, England. SOURCE: "Vital Records Index - British Isles" by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FHL Number 1450460. Parents: John COLBY and Elizabeth DAVYE. Robert COLBY was born in 1609 in Horbling, Lincolnshire, England. He died after 1636 at Horbling, Lincolnshire, England. "Robert, b. prob. about 1609; named last in his father's will of 1625. There is the possibility that he was actualy an adopted nephew and the biological son of Thomas Senior and baptised 24 Feb 1614/15 at Horbling, his mother having died when he was about 11 months old. It would have been quite reasonable for his uncle, Thomas the younger, to have adopted him. This suggestion is reinforced by there being no record of baptism of another Robert. In the list of expenses for repairs of the Horbling church in 1636, Robert Coulbe was paid 5s. for helping the glazer and to wash the old glass." Ref: Parish Registers; Bishop's Transcripts: Lincoln Consistory Court Probate Records; Churchwarden's Accounts 7/1 for Horbling, from the Toller Charity. From: "The Great Migration Begins" Parents: Thomas COLBY and Anne/Agnes JACKSON. Robert COLBY was born on 24 FEB 1614/15 in England. Parents: Thomas COLBY The Elder and Joan BOOTH. Robert COLBY was born about 1767. Parents: Joshua COLBY and Sarah PEABODY.  Robert COLBY
was born in 1772 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine. He died on 9
MAR 1853 at West Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine. Robert lived in
Fryeburg, Maine. Private in Captain Philip Eastman's Artillery co., War of 1812,
at Portland, Maine, 24 June 1814.
SOURCES: (1). "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970; (2) "A Colby Family of Fryeburg, Maine," by John Threlfall, NEHGS Register Vol 125, April 1971. Parents: Jacob COLBY and Anna MILLER. Spouse: Hannah KELLEY. Robert COLBY and Hannah KELLEY were married on 1 JUN 1797 in Conway, Carroll County, New Hampshire. Children were: Molly COLBY, James COLBY, Ann COLBY, Abigail COLBY, John COLBY, Elizabeth COLBY, Hannah COLBY. Robert COLBY was born on 2 FEB 1799 in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Amesbury.) He appeared in the census in 1850 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: 1850 Massachusetts Census. Newburyport, Essex County, page 364. Age 55.) He appeared in the census on 14 JUN 1860 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. He died on 26 AUG 1860 at Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: NEHGS, Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910.) (BOOK SOURCES: (1) "The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury Massachusetts" by David W. Hoyt; (2) "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Obadiah COLBY and Sally HOYT. Spouse: Eliza CORLISS. Robert COLBY and Eliza CORLISS were married about 1820. Children were: Robert Corliss COLBY, Sophia R. COLBY, Mary Elizabeth COLBY, Philip T. COLBY, Joseph COLBY, Sarah E. COLBY, George Austin COLBY, Albert O. COLBY, Ezekiel COLBY. Robert COLBY was born on 22 FEB 1806 in Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He appeared in the census in 1850 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Occupants listed at this residence: Name Age/Sex Occupation Worth Birth School ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Colby 44 M Farmer $1,000 NH Lovey Colby 37 F NH Richard Colby 18 M Farmer NH Rosa Colby 15 F NH Y Abi Colby 12 F NH Y Robert Colby Jr. 8 M NH Y Elizabeth Colby 5 F NH Y John Colby 4 M NH Eliza Colby 2 F NH Sarah Colby 1/12 F NH ================================================== He died on 2 APR 1880 at Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He was buried in the New Pond Cemetery at Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire Burried at Pond Cemetery, Bradford, NH. SOURCES: (1) "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970; (2) Vital Records, New Hampshire State. Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates. Parents: Moses COLBY and Betsey WILKENS. Spouse: Lovey CARTER. Robert COLBY and Lovey CARTER were married on 30 AUG 1831 in Hillsborough, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Robert, Marriage: Lovey CARTER. Date: 30 Aug 1831; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire. Wife previously married. Children were: Richard COLBY, Rosannah COLBY, Abbie COLBY, James COLBY, Robert Carter COLBY, Elizabeth COLBY, John A. COLBY, Eliza C. COLBY, Melvina Sarah COLBY, Teresa COLBY, Ernest A. COLBY.  Robert COLBY
was born on 19 JAN 1808 in Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
He appeared in the census in 1850 in Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
He died on 10 JAN 1886 at Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
He was buried in the Franklin Cemetery at Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
Parents: John COLBY and Nancy WHITCHER.Spouse: Emmeline HERBERT. Robert COLBY and Emmeline HERBERT were married on 15 SEP 1834 in New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Robert ; Marriage: Emeline HERBERT; Date: 03 Sep 1834; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire.) Children were: Adaline M. COLBY, Charles Herbert COLBY, Charles Herbert COLBY. Spouse: Elizabeth CREESY. Robert COLBY and Elizabeth CREESY were married about 1845. Children were: Ellen Eastman COLBY. Robert COLBY was born in 1830 in New York City, New York County, New York. In 1850 he was a machinist in New York City, New York County, New York. He appeared in the census on 18 SEP 1850 in New York City, New York County, New York. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: John COLBY and Mary HAZELTINE. Robert COLBY was born in MAR 1894 in New York. He appeared in the census on 12 JUN 1900 in Chautauqua, Chautauqua County, New York. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census on 16 APR 1910 in Ellery, Chautauqua County, New York. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Martin E. COLBY and Jennie JOHNSON. Robert COLBY was born on 23 OCT 1910 in Kansas. He appeared in the census on 13 JAN 1920 in Grant, Dickinson County, Kansas. (living at home with father and mother.) He died in DEC 1975 at Colorado. He had Social Security Number 523-03-2666. Social Security Death Index Social Security Death Index Name: Robert Colby SSN: 523-03-2666 Last Residence: 80215 Lakewood, Jefferson, Colorado, United States of America Born: 23 Oct 1910 Died: Dec 1975 State (Year) SSN issued: Colorado (Before 1951 ) Parents: Arthur Downey COLBY and Eva S. (COLBY). Robert COLBY was born on 6 MAY 1910 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. He appeared in the census on 9 JAN 1920 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census in 1930 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 24 OCT 1986. Parents: Paul Keating COLBY and Ida HEAFNER. Robert COLBY was born on 25 SEP 1918. He died in AUG 1968. He had Social Security Number 108-10-8916 . Parents: Burnham Ayers COLBY and Lila V. TOWNSEND. Robert COLBY was born in 1922 in Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. He appeared in the census on 21 APR 1930 in Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Emery William COLBY and Fern Genevieve POTTER. Robert COLBY was born in 1924 in New York. He appeared in the census on 17 APR 1930 in Geneva, Kane County, Illinois. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: William Johnson COLBY and Margaret L. KING. Robert COLBY was born in 1924 in New Hampshire. He appeared in the census on 8 APR 1930 in Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Allston Gilman COLBY and Florence WOODMAN. Robert COLBY was born in 1925 in Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Homer Lee COLBY and Mary M. SCHMIDT. Robert COLBY was born in 1927 in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: James Avery COLBY and Glenn TROMBLY. Robert Alfred COLBY was born on 21 APR 1935 in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Parents: Carrol De Vern COLBY and Miriam Geraldine PITZEN. Spouse: Virginia Louise KINZLER. Robert Alfred COLBY and Virginia Louise KINZLER were married on 24 OCT 1953. Children were: Steven Robert COLBY, Karen Louise COLBY, Kathryn Ann COLBY.  Capt. Robert
Allinder COLBY was born on 18 NOV 1909 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
He appeared in the census in 1930 in Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan.
(living at home with father and mother.) He died on 15 FEB 2001 at Cape Carol,
Lee County, Florida. He had Social Security Number 375-40-8019 .
He served in the military.
ROBERT A. COLBY, CAPT, born Nov. 18, 1909. Buffalo, NY, was commissioned as a lieutenant (junior grade), USN. March 18, 1940. Served aboard USS Elliott in the Caribbean until transferred to BB- . 56 July 13, 1941. In Iceland he Fractured a leg while mountain climbing. Dr. Prevost carried him down the mountain to an Icelandic home and eventually a British ambulance got him to the ship. In 48 hours Drs. Canty and Prevost had him in a walking cast and working. He was aboard for the Murmansk run, the Punjabi incident, and the King's visit. After the historic Savo island battle in the Pacific he was detached Dec. 28, 1942. Noumea, NC for transportation to USNH Memphis for duty. He later served aboard USS Intrepid and at NAS Honolulu; USNTTC Jacksonville; NDS Bethesda (eight years); Yokosuka Japan; and AFIP Washington, D.C. Promoted to captain July 1, 1955. Received the Legion of Merit March 1, 1957, for professional accomplishments. Was physically retired June 30, 1960. He wed the former Mary Sherman July 3. 1936. They are still celebrating. They live in southern Florida and have two sons, Charles and John, and three grandchildren. Parents: Charles Andrew COLBY and Grace Catherine ALLINDER. Robert Arland COLBY was born on 9 DEC 1922 in Clinton County, Indiana. He appeared in the census on 3 APR 1930 in Warren, Clinton County, Indiana. (living at home with father and mother.) He served in the military on 5 JAN 1943 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Name: Robert A Colby Birth Year: 1922 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Indiana State: Indiana County or City: Clinton Enlistment Date: 5 Jan 1943 Enlistment State: Indiana Enlistment City: Indianapolis Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 67 Weight: 149 He appeared in The Vidette Messenger newspaper on 29 AUG 1945 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana Youth Condemned To Die Appeals To Hoosier Kin INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 29 --(UP)-- Military authorities promised a final decision by general Eisenhower today in the case of Pfc. Robert Colby, 22, whose family sought information after the soldier wrote them from Germany that he was scheduled to die for murder. Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Colby, Geetingsville, Ind., frantically tried to get details and a stay of execution for the young Clinton county farmer, but for four days all the word they had was a terse letter from Colby. It said: "Dear Mom and Dad: This is awful hard to tell. My chaplain told me to write and tell you that I am charged with murder and have been sentenced to be shot. Get an attorney and try to have this sentence reduced." It was signed "Bob." The family asked Indiana Gov. Ralph F. Gates to intercede yesterday. Gates appeal to Washington brought a reply from Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson. Patterson informed Gates that the sentence "has been approved by reviewing authorities," the governor's office announced today. Spokesmen for Gates also said that Patterson told them that the death sentence had not been examined by a branch judge advocate and that "it was impossible to tell how soon a final decision will be reached by General Eisenhower." Meanwhile, Colby's anxious relatives, and members of the church he attended at Geetingsville, pressed efforts to find out about the crime for which the youth said he was to die. -------------------------------------------------- He appeared in The Vidette Messenger newspaper on 4 SEP 1945 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana Hoosier Youth's Case In Hands Of Pres. Truman WASHINGTON, Sep. 4 --(UP)--President Truman today asked the army for particulars in the case of an Indiana soldier sentenced to died in Europe for murder. The president acted after Gov. Ralph F. Gates of Indiana appealed to the White House and War Department to investigate the sentencing of Pfc. Robert A. Colby, 22, Gettingsville, Ind. No record of the case has reached the war department from Germany, it was said, and the specific charge against Colby was not known here. At the same time, Rep. Forest A. Harness, R., Indiana, said he had asked Undersecretary of War Robert P. Patterson and General Dwight D. Eisenhower for a full investigation of the court martial proceedings which recommended execution of the former Indiana farm youth who had served 2½ years overseas. Harness said the final decision in the case was up to Eisenhower in that he could either sustain or reverse the verdict after an investigation. Harness said Colby was being held in a prison camp in France. Gates interceded after hearing appeals from the soldier's parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Colby, their neighbors and fellow church members. -------------------------------------- He appeared in The Vidette Messenger newspaper on 6 SEP 1945 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana Hoosier G. I. Killed Two U. S. Officers WIESBADEN, GERMANY, Sept. 6--(UP)--American army legal authorities said last night that the death sentence of Pfc. Robert Colby of Geetingsville, Ind., has been submitted to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower for final approval. Colby, of the 49th combat engineers, was found guilty by a military court of the murder of two American officers. He admitted killing his commanding officer, Capt. Richard Brown, and Lt. Donald H. Wade on June 10 near Leipzig. Eisenhower has the power to commute the death penalty, and Colby's neighbors in tiny Geetingsville have been praying that the army commander will spare the youth's life. At Leipzig last June, Colby testified: "I shot the old man (meaning Brown) but I didn't want to shoot the lieutenant." Brown had ordered Colby confined to post after the soldier was found leaving his company zone against orders. Colby admitted that he had been drinking at the time of the shooting. Colby told the military court that he took his rifle and walked into the company command post (headquarters) where the two officers were talking and shoot them. Then, he said, he marched out of the post and surrendered himself to military policemen. The court unanimously found him guilty and unless Eisenhower grants a reprieve he will be shot. Colby wrote his mother recently asking her to get lawyers working "to try to save me." ------------------------------------------ He appeared in TIME newspaper on 10 SEP 1945 A Letter Home The letter arrived about midmorning. By noon, thanks to motherly Mrs. Florence Ethel Colby, 60, who minded the village switchboard in the parlor of her white frame house, everyone in Geetingsville, Ind. (pop. 27) knew what the letter said: "Dear Mom and Dad: This is awful hard to tell. My chaplain told me to write and tell you that I am charged with murder and have been sentenced to be shot. Get an attorney and try to have this sentence reduced." It was signed: "Bob." From the nine farm houses of Geetingsville the story hummed out into the Indiana farmlands. Soil-grimed men muttered to themselves: "It can't be so." Not the Bobby Colby they had known: he had gone to church regularly, did his farm chores all right—except that he would not even kill the chicken for Sunday dinner. The Rev. Lenn L. Latham said: "Some people say they think that psychologically the Army made a killer out of him." Around the 110-year-old Presbyterian church, Bobby's 60-year-old father, Lance, tended the town's graveyard. Now & then he paused to look at a sign which read: Commit thy way unto the Lord. To friends he said: "If he did it, he was drove to it." At the Colby home, Bobby's mother tidied up her son's room, which was still the way he had left it—pin-up girls and airplane pictures on the wall, a radio and Popular Science on the table, his civilian clothes hanging in the closet. He had been in the North African campaign, then in the Normandy invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and is now in Germany. Exactly what had happened, no one in Geetingsville knew. Both the War Department in Washington and ETO headquarters in Frankfurt refused to divulge the facts of Bobby's crime. So the staunch, God-fearing people of the countryside wrote a letter to Harry Truman. Then they turned elsewhere. A hundred of them trooped into the church, prayed for Bobby Colby and spoke the 40th Psalm in unison: "For innumerable evils have compassed me about. . . . They are more than the hairs of my head. . . . O Lord, make haste to help. . . " ------------------------------------------- He appeared in The Vidette Messenger newspaper on 11 SEP 1945 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana Doomed Soldier Tells Parents He's 'Insane at Times' INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 11.--(UP)--A half-brother of Pfc. Robert A. Colby, 22, under sentence to die for the slaying of two army officers in Germany last spring, said he believed Colby had "cracked under the strain" of his war service. Harry Griffin of Indianapolis, whose mother, Mrs. L. O. Colby of Geetingsville, Ind., also is the mother of the doomed soldier, disclosed the contents of a second letter received by Colby's parents, written August 27 from Mannheim, Germany. "I think that the radio course I took has something to do with my nerves," Colby wrote his parents. "I am very nervous and a little crazy at times." "I am still waiting to see if my death sentence is approved," he wrote. "If it is or isn't, I want you to know I am a little insane at times. I am all mixed up. But whether I live or die, a sort of homesickness, I guess." "Anyhow, must forget all that now. I had something I wanted to say but I can't think of it now. I am very tired and need a rest. This is my battle and I don't want you to worry. As they say in England, chin up. Cheerio. So long," the letter concluded. The letter admonished the parents not to "worry too much about me." "I'm afraid I cannot help from worrying you," Colby wrote. "I am trying not to worry myself." Colby said he was "trusting and praying the will of the Lord will be done, because I know he will be just." Griffin said he believed the letter indicated that Colby was suffering from "shell-shock" after bitter fighting in Germany from a Normandy beachhead on D-Day, in June, 1944. "There's something peculiar about this," Griffin said. "The army taught him to be a killer. His record before he entered the service proves he was not a criminal." ----------------------------------------------- He appeared in TIME newspaper on 17 SEP 1945 TIME Monday Sept 17 1945. For eleven days the hamlet of Geetingsville, Ind. had offered prayers for Pfc. Robert A. Colby, sentenced to death in Germany after an Army court martial (TIME, Sept. 10). Last week Geetingsville heard what Bobby Colby had done. At Eisleben he had gone AWOL to find a drink, had been given four days' extra labor as punishment. That night he had taken a rifle, shot and killed his company commander and a passing lieutenant. -------------------------------------- He appeared in The Vidette Messenger newspaper on 19 SEP 1945 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana Willis Suggests Leniency In Case Of Doomed G. I. WASHINGTON, Sept. 19--(UP)-- Sen. Raymond E. Willis, R., Ind., today petitioned President Truman for leniency in the case of Pfc. Robert Colby, Geetingsville, Ind., sentenced to die in Europe for slaying his commanding officer. Willis forwarded to the president a letter from Victor Colby, a cousin also in the army in Germany setting forth arguments for leniency. The letter said the condemned youth had been in battle continuously, was suffering from battle fatigue, had been sentenced to labor for going AWOL and was convinced that "the only way to fight back" was in the method he chose. The cousin said Colby surrendered to a sentry immediately after shooting his captain and lieutenant. He also charged that the court martial which imposed the death penalty was made up of fellow officers of the deceased and that Colby didn't get a fair trial. -------------------------------------------- He died on 15 MAR 1987. He had Social Security Number 316-14-3719. Social Security Death Index Name: Robert A. Colby SSN: 316-14-3719 Last Residence: 46041 Frankfort, Clinton, Indiana, United States of America Born: 9 Dec 1922 Died: 15 Mar 1987 State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (Before 1951 ) Parents: Lance Orlo COLBY and Florence Ethel (Johnson) GRIFFIN. Robert B. COLBY was born on 10 JUL 1913 in Sunnyside, Yakima County, Washington. He appeared in the census on 8 JAN 1920 in Sunnyside, Yakima County, Washington. (living at home with father and mother.) He appeared in the census in 1930 in Sunnyside, Yakima County, Washington. (living at home with father.) Parents: Isaac Wynn COLBY and Hilda Agnes SHOGREN. Robert C. COLBY was born about 1881. Parents: David Rowel COLBY and Minnie CAREY. Robert C. COLBY was born on 12 AUG 1941 in Rumford Point, Oxford County, Maine. Parents: Martin Wirt COLBY and Addie Lillian VAIL. Robert Carter COLBY was born on 20 AUG 1841 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Census Place: Bradford, Merrimack, New Hampshire Source: FHL Film 1254765 National Archives Film T9-0765 Page 60A Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace Robert C. COLBY Self M M W 38 NH Occ: Farmer Fa: NH Mo: NH Mary E. COLBY Wife F M W 42 NH Occ: Keeping House Fa: NH Mo: NH Isora M. COLBY Dau F S W 10 NH Fa: NH Mo: NH Lavra A. COLBY Dau F S W 11M NH Fa: NH Mo: NH He appeared in the census on 13 JUN 1900 in Ashby, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He appeared in the census on 20 APR 1910 in Ashby, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He died on 15 MAY 1917 at Ashby, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was buried in Mason, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Parents: Robert COLBY and Lovey CARTER. Spouse: Mary Jeane CHANDLER. Robert Carter COLBY and Mary Jeane CHANDLER were married on 23 NOV 1862 in Deering, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Robert Carter Age: 21 years, Marriage: Mary Jane or Jennie M. CHANDLER Age: 20 years, Date: 27 Nov 1862; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire.) Children were: Edith J. COLBY, Isora Marion COLBY, Nellie COLBY. Spouse: Mary Elizabeth STEVENS. Robert Carter COLBY and Mary Elizabeth STEVENS were married on 22 OCT 1871 in Sutton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Robert Carter Age: 32 years, Marriage: Mary E. STEVENS Age: 26 years, Date: 01 Oct 1871; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire. Husband previously married.) They were divorced on 30 APR 1890 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Children were: Laura Ann COLBY. Spouse: Blanche Belle (True) INES. Robert Carter COLBY and Blanche Belle (True) INES were married on 21 JUN 1890 in West Townsend, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Children were: Llewellyn Oliver COLBY, Abbie E. COLBY, Jerome Carter COLBY, George W. COLBY. Robert Clayton COLBY was born on 20 OCT 1914 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He appeared in the census on 5 JAN 1920 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 16 JUN 1989 at Oak Forest, Cook County, Illinois. Parents: George William COLBY and Flora Belle ROLFE. Spouse: Betty Marian SMALLHORN. Robert Clayton COLBY and Betty Marian SMALLHORN were married on 11 NOV 1944 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Children were: Allan Benjamin COLBY. Robert Corliss COLBY was born on 14 FEB 1821 in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. He died on 25 DEC 1849 at Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was buried in the Highland Cemetery at Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts SOURCES: (1) Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. Amesbury; (2) "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970. Parents: Robert COLBY and Eliza CORLISS. Spouse: Sarah Jane PRESCOTT. Robert Corliss COLBY and Sarah Jane PRESCOTT were married on 23 MAR 1846 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Children were: Alfarata COLBY, George William COLBY.
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