Colby descendents
In "The Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Thomas County and its Neighbors" - 1885-1935 p.168. "The first homestead in the county was taken and occupied in the early part of the year 1879 by a man named Williams......he went back east.......In July 9, 1879 Nathan Byars took a homestead in Thomas and later brought out his family."
A Mr. Jardine and family came soon after Mr. Byars, followed soon after by William Colby, John Irwin,.......
"Mr. Colby, from whom the town derived its name, kept the post office. In the summer of 1882 his daughter Anna taught the first school in the county. The district was No.1, now gone out of existence, leaving No. 2 at Otterbourne first.
p.174 "I think Mr. Colby was the first notary who ever transacted any business"
Written by Mrs. E. T. Smith, County Historian for the Old Settlers Association 1902