Stoddard Benham Colby (February 3, 1816 – September 21, 1867) was an American lawyer and political figure. He is notable for his service as Register of the United States Treasury during the American Civil War.
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Biography
Colby was born in Derby, Vermont on February 3, 1816, the son of Judge Nehemiah Colby and Malinda (Larrabee) Colby. He was educated in Derby, and prepared for college by studying in the office of attorney Timothy P. Redfield. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1836, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He studied law with William Upham, was admitted to the bar in 1838, and practiced law in Derby. Among the prospective attorneys who studied in Colby's office was John L. Edwards. In 1842 he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, and served from 1842 to 1842. In 1846 he began to practice in Montpelier as the partner of Lucius B. Peck.
In 1855, Colby was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Lieutenant governor of Vermont. In 1856, he was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives.
Colby was appointed Register of the Treasury and assumed office on August 12, 1864.
Family
He was married to Harriet Elizabeth Proctor, sister of Redfield Proctor. She was one of the victims of the 1852 Henry Clay (1851 steamboat) disaster. They had four children. In 1855, he married Ellen Cornelia Hunt of Haverhill, New Hampshire. They were the parents of two children.
Children
With Harriet Elizabeth Proctor:
Jabez Proctor Colby
Laura Melinda Colby, the wife of Brigadier General Asa B. Carey
Edward P. Colby
Lucien Redfield Colby
With Ellen Cornelia Hunt:
Ellen Rebecca Colby, the wife of Frederick Abbott Stokes
Frank Moore Colby, publisher
Death and burial
Colby died in Haverhill following a five-week illness. He was buried at Proctor Cemetery in Proctorsville, Vermont.
Awards and honors
In August 1867, he received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Norwich University.