Robert Colby (1822-1904)

Description

Robert Colby was born in New London, NH in 1822, the son of Governor Anthony Colby and Mary (Everett) Colby. He attended New London Academy (now Colby-Sawyer College) and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1845. Colby studied law with Ira Perley in Concord, and, in 1849, he formed a practice with W.H.L. Smith, of Boston. He moved to New York in 1853 and, after practicing law for some time, he became a member of the firm James B. Colgate & Co. and of the New York Stock Exchange. On February 23, 1854 he married Mary Colgate, sister of James Boorman Colgate. They had three children: May, Jessie, and William “Colgate” Colby.

Robert Colby was also involved in philanthropic endeavors. He served as treasurer of the Colgate Mission, a mission benefiting children of the “East Side” by sending them into the country for two week vacations. He was active behind the line during the Civil War and he was a longstanding member of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church.

Robert Colby died in 1904.