Biographical Sketch of Daniel B. Colley, Pulaski County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Daniel B. Colley, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Cullen 
Township, is the son of Judge Cyrus and Elizabeth (Howard) Colley,
and was born in Pulaski County, at the mouth of Colley Hollow, in
1833.  Cyrus Colley was born in York County, S.C., in 1800.  He 
received a limited schooling, and his mother having died when he 
was quite young, he was bound out to learn the blacksmith's trade,
but owing to ill treatment he soon sought other employment.  In
1825 he married Elizabeth Howard, daughter of William Howard, of
Kentucky.  She was born in Caldwell County, KY., in 1805, where
they lived after their marriage until 1831, when they removed to
Southern Illinois, and one year later located in what is now Pulaski
County, MO.  They finally settled in what is now known as Colley
Hollow, which is one of the richest valleys in the county.  There
Mr. Colley improved a good farm, on which he spent the remainder of
his life.  He was one of the pioneers of Pulaski County, and in an
early day served one term as county judge, holding the same office
just prior to the war, during which time the railroad company en-
deavored to obtain support for the proposed railroad, to which Mr.
Colley was actively opposed, and it is probably due to his persever-
ance and determined opposition that Pulaski County is without the
burdensome railroad debt hanging over so many counties in Missouri.
He was a man of great industry and endurance, and had the interests
of the county at heart.  He was an active worker in the Democratic
party, and one of the most enterprising farmers of his time.  He
died on November 4, 1876.  In a family of six sons and four daughters
Daniel B. Colley was the fifth.  His education was that obtained in
the common schools.  In 1860 he married Rachel Gillespie, whose 
father, William Gillespie, was a pioneer of Pulaski County.  She was 
born in Pulaski County, and died in December, 1866, leaving one child,
Clara, now the wife of Rev. L. H. Davis.  On September 10, 1871, Mr.
Colley married Mrs. Margaret E. Hobbs, widow of Joseph Hobbs.  She
was born in Pulaski County in 1840, and has three children by her
first husband, viz.: LeRoy J., William W., and Josie J. who married
James M. Colley.  The parents of Mrs. Colley were Wilson and Elizabeth
Tilley, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, who
settled in what is now Pulaski County about 1829.  Mr. Tilley was
killed on September 10, 1864, by a band of militia, who burned his
house and robbed him of his money.  His wife is still living, and of
their twelve children four daughters and one son are still living, 
and rank among the highly esteemed families of their respective com-
munities.  The parents were members of the Methodist Church.  Three
children were born to Mr. Colley by his second marriage, only one of
whom survives, Daniel Burkley.  After the war Mr. Colley settled on 
his present farm, which adjoins the old homestead, and where he now
has a well-improved farm of 140 acres, about sixty acres under culti-
vation.  He engaged in farming until 1866, when, having been elected
circuit and county court clerk, he removed to Waynesville.  He held
the office continuously for eight years, and at the expiration of the
last term returned to his farm, where he now lives.  In political
faith he is a Democrat.

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