Anthony Colby (November 13, 1792 – July 20, 1873) was an American businessman and politician from New London, New Hampshire. He owned and operated a grist mill and a stage line, and served as the 20th Governor of New Hampshire from 1846 to 1847.
Colby was born in New London, New Hampshire, on November 13, 1792. His was educated locally and became a successful business owner and operator, with his ventures including a stagecoach line, gristmill, and factory for producing scythes.
He was also active in the militia, serving as an ensign during the War of 1812, and attaining the rank of major general in 1837.
Colby entered politics as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, serving from 1828 to 1832 and 1837 to 1839. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1833 and 1835, and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1843, 1844 and 1845.
In 1846, Colby ran for governor as the Whig nominee. He originally placed second to Democrat Jared W. Williams, receiving 32% of the vote to Williams's 48%. However, the state constitution imposed a majority-vote requirement in gubernatorial elections, so the failure of any candidate in the race to win a majority threw the election to the General Court. A Whig–Liberty Party–Independent Democrat coalition, led by Independent Democrat John P. Hale, won control of the state government and elected Colby as Governor over Williams.[1] Colby served from June 4, 1846, to June 3, 1847. He ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 1847, in which he lost to Williams.
After leaving the governorship, Colby remained active in business, the military and politics. He served again in the New Hampshire House from 1860 to 1861, and during the American Civil War served as Adjutant General of the New Hamspshire Militia from 1861 to 1863. He then became provost marshal of the militia, with his son Daniel succeeding him as adjutant general.
^Yeargain, Tyler (2021). "New England State Senates: Case Studies for Revisiting the Indirect Election of Legislators". University of New Hampshire Law Review. 19 (2): 381. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
anthony, colby, november, 1792, july, 1873, american, businessman, politician, from, london, hampshire, owned, operated, grist, mill, stage, line, served, 20th, governor, hampshire, from, 1846, 1847, 20th, governor, hampshirein, office, june, 1846, june, 1847p. Anthony Colby November 13 1792 July 20 1873 was an American businessman and politician from New London New Hampshire He owned and operated a grist mill and a stage line and served as the 20th Governor of New Hampshire from 1846 to 1847 Anthony Colby20th Governor of New HampshireIn office June 4 1846 June 3 1847Preceded byJohn Hardy SteeleSucceeded byJared W WilliamsMember of the New Hampshire House of RepresentativesIn office 1828 18321837 1839Personal detailsBorn 1792 11 13 November 13 1792New London New Hampshire U S DiedJuly 20 1873 1873 07 20 aged 80 New London New Hampshire U S Political partyWhigSpouse s Mary EverettEliza Messenger RichardsonChildrenSusan Farnum ColbyRobert Lane ColbyProfessionBusiness executiveManufacturerBiography EditColby was born in New London New Hampshire on November 13 1792 His was educated locally and became a successful business owner and operator with his ventures including a stagecoach line gristmill and factory for producing scythes He was also active in the militia serving as an ensign during the War of 1812 and attaining the rank of major general in 1837 Colby entered politics as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives serving from 1828 to 1832 and 1837 to 1839 He was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1833 and 1835 and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1843 1844 and 1845 In 1846 Colby ran for governor as the Whig nominee He originally placed second to Democrat Jared W Williams receiving 32 of the vote to Williams s 48 However the state constitution imposed a majority vote requirement in gubernatorial elections so the failure of any candidate in the race to win a majority threw the election to the General Court A Whig Liberty Party Independent Democrat coalition led by Independent Democrat John P Hale won control of the state government and elected Colby as Governor over Williams 1 Colby served from June 4 1846 to June 3 1847 He ran unsuccessfully for re election in 1847 in which he lost to Williams After leaving the governorship Colby remained active in business the military and politics He served again in the New Hampshire House from 1860 to 1861 and during the American Civil War served as Adjutant General of the New Hamspshire Militia from 1861 to 1863 He then became provost marshal of the militia with his son Daniel succeeding him as adjutant general Colby was interested in higher education He was a trustee of Dartmouth College from 1850 to 1870 and received an honorary Master of Arts from Dartmouth in 1850 He was also the founder of Colby Academy which through expansions and mergers is now known as Colby Sawyer College Colby died in New London on July 20 1873 and was buried in New London s Old Main Street Cemetery 2 Colby s papers are held at Colby Sawyer College 3 References Edit Yeargain Tyler 2021 New England State Senates Case Studies for Revisiting the Indirect Election of Legislators University of New Hampshire Law Review 19 2 381 Retrieved April 28 2021 The Granite Monthly Anthony Colby s papers Archived July 23 2012 at the Wayback MachineExternal links EditColby at New Hampshire s Department of Historic Resources Anthony Colby at National Governors Association retrieved October 5 2014 Anthony Colby at Find a Grave retrieved October 5 2014Party political officesPreceded byEnos Stevens Whig nominee for Governor of New Hampshire1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 Succeeded byNathaniel S BerryPolitical officesPreceded byJohn H Steele Governor of New Hampshire1846 1847 Succeeded byJared W Williams nbsp nbsp This article about a New Hampshire politician is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Anthony Colby amp oldid 1171572320, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
