Colby, Arthur S., 1868-1936

COLBY, BRAEDER, MURPHY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

DEATH OF FORMER RESIDENT
A. S. Colby, Former Postmaster Here, Passed Away at Beresford

A. S. Colby of Beresford, a former resident of Hawarden, passed away at his home last Thursday afternoon, April 30th, following a stroke which he suffered early that morning. Death came without his regaining consciousness. Mr. Colby had been in poor health for the past two years and ten days prior to his death he had been ailing but his sudden death came as a shock to his family and friends. Funeral services were held at Beresford Saturday morning and interment was made there.

Arthur S. Colby was born in a small lumbering camp on the shores of Lake Michigan in the state of Wisconsin, August 9, 1868. When he was nine years old he moved with his parents to Scranton, Iowa, and there at the age of 16, he attained his first job in the Scranton newspaper office. After learning the printing trade he left Scranton and worked in several weekly shops in Iowa and for several years worked in the shops of Omaha newspapers before the day of the typesetting machines.

He was married at Guthrie Center, Iowa, in June, 1898, and two years later came to Hawarden and published the Hawarden Republican for about seven years when publication of that newspaper was discontinued and the subscription list and good will were purchased by the Independent. He served as postmaster in this city from 1903 to 1907. After his postoffice term expired he worked on the Alcester Union for several years, which at that time was published by Chas. J. Peterson, but he continued to make his home in Hawarden. In 1912 he moved to Beresford and accepted a position with H. A. Sturges, then publisher of the Beresford Republic. After two years in the Republic office he associated himself with C. W. Johnson in the Beresford News and became the active editor and publisher of that paper until it was absorbed by the Republic in 1927. Following the sale of his paper he moved to Leeds where he operated a confectionary store for two years, when he returned to Beresford and made his home there continuously since that time.

In commenting upon his activities in Beresford, the Republic at that place paid the following tribute:

“Shortly after he took over the reins of the old Beresford News, Mr. Colby was elected to the city council. He was re-elected to that office five times, serving in all 12 years. It was during this time that the municipal light plant was started and he was one of the principal proponents of the city-owned plant. He also took an active part in the campaign which resulted in the municipal telephone system.

“Always an energetic booster for his home town, he was twice elected president of the Commercial Club and took a most active part in all its programs as long as he was in business.”

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Hal Colby, Newton, Iowa, and Victor Colby, Beresford, and two daughters, Miss Beatrice Colby, who resides at home, and Mrs. Joe Determan, also of Beresford. He also leaves two brothers, George Colby, Scranton, Iowa, and Sam Colby, Pasadena, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Richard Witt, Jefferson, Iowa, and Mrs. William McLain, Scranton, Iowa, and five grandchildren.

Mr. Colby had many old friends in Hawarden who were shocked at news of his death. He was highly esteemed here as an upright and honorable citizen, a loyal neighbor and friend. Until last winter, his son, Hal Colby, lived in Hawarden for seven or eight years and during that period he was an occasional visitor here.

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Ancestry.com has a marriage record for groom Arthur Sidney Colby, age 30, resident of Guthrie Center, Iowa, a printer, born in Story County, Wisconsin, parents Henry M. Colby and Elizabeth Braeder; bride Ellen Jane Murphy, age 30, resident of Dodgeville, Iowa, born at Dodgeville, parents James Murphy and Christiana Robbins; married in St. Mary’s Church, West Burlington, Iowa, June 22, 1898.