Bio: Colby, James R. (Retirement - 1958)

Contact: Betty Comstock

Email:  Comstock@Stateline-ISP.com

 Surnames: Colby, Anderson

 ----Source: Loyal Tribune (Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) 01/08/1959

  Colby, James R. (Retirement - 31 DEC 1958)

James R. Colby, who for 49 years has been connected with the Citizens State Bank of Loyal, retired December 31 as the bank’s executive vice-president and casher.

James Colby who was born in Nunda, Ill., (now a part of Crystal Lake) came to Loyal with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Colby, in 1900.  James attended the Loyal Public School and a La Crosse business college.  In 1910 he became a clerk in the bank.  He remained with the bank until 1920 when he withdrew and formed a partnership with his brother Raymond in the general store business which his grandfather, O. C. Colby, and his father had purchased in 1900 from Wirie and Mulligan.  At this time he remained a bank director, however.

After several years in the store, which the brothers had purchased from their father, he withdrew from the partnership to become the bank’s cashier in 1929.  Raymond Colby continued operation of the store until he decided to go to Crystal Lake to live and his son, Eugene (Web) Colby took over its management.  After almost 60 years in the Colby family it was sold in 1958 to its present owner, Charles J. Schlaefer.

Mr. Colby, who was 67 years old Saturday, continues as a stockholder and director of the bank.  When his parents returned in 1920 to Illinois to make their home there, the stockholders elected him a director to succeed his father who was one of the bank’s organizers and first officers in 1909.

Mr. Colby was a charter member in 1942 and has been active ever since in the Loyal Rotary Club.  He has been treasurer for the past ten years.  He is a member of the Loyal Methodist Church and for many years was a teacher of a boy’s class in its Sunday School.  He has also sung in the church choir since he was 16 years of age.

He was guest of honor at a 7 p.m. testimonial dinner in the Municipal Building Monday, December 29.  Green boughs, white snowballs and red holly with red candles and white nut cups decorated the tables. 

Guests included Mr. and Mrs. James Colby and their house guest, Mrs. Huang Ho Fin of Malaya; Mr. and Mrs. Orin Trindal, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Esselman and George Weyhmiller, Loyal; Mr. and Mrs. Durward Schwarze, Granton; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Davel, George Zuehlke, Mrs. Edith Ohlrogge, Miss Karlene Kleinschmidt, Miss Virginia Stumpner, Loyal: Michael Schlinsog and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Knutson, Granton; Mark Rusch, Milwaukee, of the First Wisconsin Bank of Milwaukee; James Luther, Drover’s Bank of Chicago; and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prior and Mrs. and Mrs. Herbert White, Loyal.

Mr. Colby’s daughter, Mrs. Albert (Pat) Anderson of Marshfield, and his son J. Richard Colby of N. Augusta, S. Carolina were unable to attend.

Paul Davel was toastmaster, Orin Trindal, president of the bank, gave a talk.  Mr. Colby expressed his appreciation. Mrs. Huang also gave a short talk.  Many letters from friends were read.  The directors of the Citizens State Bank and friends from away presented Mr. Colby with a portable adding machine and the employees gave him a sun-burst clock.  Mrs. Colby received a corsage.

George Weyhmiller is the only director now serving the bank who was serving when Mr. Colby entered the bank’s employ.

Mr. and Mrs. Colby left Wednesday for Phoenix, Ariz., where they will spend the winter.  Enroute home next spring they plan to visit a son, J. Richard Colby in South Carolina.