William H. Colcord, Principal of the School at Coleta, Supervisor of Genesee Twp. and Postmaster of the village where he lives, is a native born citizen of his township, and represents one of the earliest names connected with the settlement of Genesee Twp. His father, Ivory Colcord, came to Genessee twp. in 1836, and bought a claim consisting of 200 acres of prairie and 300 acres of timber, paying therefor $150 in gold. He returned ot his home in steuben Co NY and in 1837 set out with his family for the West. They took passage on a flat-boat on the Allegheny River, proceeded to Pittsburg, went thence to the Mississippi River by way of the Ohio River, and from the junction of the two streams went to Fulton, whither they were conveyed by wagon to Genesee Grove, arriving there on the 15th of October.

A small shelter was provided for temporary use during the winter that followed, where the domestic machinery was operated, and which also served as a house of public entertainment, as there was no hotel for the accomodation fo the army of land-lookers and prospective settlers. One of the controlling elements of a pioneer community is that of hospitality, and faces that have lately looked on civilization seem connecting l inks. The senior Colcord was a practical farmer, and a man of cultivated mind. He was the first school-teacher in Genesee Twp., and was also its first magistrate after the orgination of the township. He died Jan.25, 1865. He was born July 20, 1799 in Maine and married Elzina Smith, who was born June 27, 1805 near Keene NH and they settled in the State of NY. The mother is yet living, with a daughter in the village of Coleta. She is 80 years of age, and has been the mother of 13 chidlren, eight of whom survive.

Mr. Colcord is the third white child born in Genesee Twp. His birth occurred July 29, 1839, and his is literally descended from the Pilgrims of MA, his paternal being a Bradbury. In the maternal line he is equally well descended, and his veins contain a mixture of Scotch and English blood, in which nationalities his earliest ancestors had their origin. His education was begun under the supervision of his father, and was continued until he became of age.

He was married Feb. 16, 1860 to Fianna V. Linerode. The ceremony was performed by A.H. Law, at that date a magistrate of Genesee Twp., and now a resident of Mercer Co IL. Their marriage has been blessed with 10 children - Alice C., married to James. L. Peugh, a farmer in Genesee; Eustatia V., married to J. Fred. Fehrensen, druggist in Coleta; Annetta A., married to George A. Over, merchant in Sterling; and Edith B., Ernest S., Clayton E., Nellie L., Bertis S., Glenn D. and Elzina G., still at home with their parents. Mrs. Colcord was born in Tuscarawas Co. OH. Her mother died when she was young, and her father having married again, she continued under the care of her step-mother until she was married. Her father removed to Genesee Twp., when she was young, and he became prominent in the official history of the county. He died in 1857.

Mr. and Mrs. Colcord settled on a farm in Genesee Twp. The former passed the chief portion of the succeeding years in the improvement of his property, and devoted the winter season to teaching. With the exception fo two intervening years, he passed his life in this manner until 1878. In that year he relinquished his agricultural projects in order to apply his time and energies wholly to the labors of a teacher, in which vocation he has since been engaged. His farm contained 20 acres and was situated on section 21. In 1884 he sold the place and bought 150 acres near Sheldon, O' Brien Co., Iowa. He owns his residence at Coleta. In 1884 he succeeded Henry Wickey in the position of Postmaster. He has officiated one term as Justice of the Peace, has been Twp. Clerk three years, and is serving his fourth term as Supervisor, being appointed during 1884 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Rev. Cephas Hurless. He has also served two years as Assessor. Mr. Colcord is interested in local and general political issues, and is an influential and consistent Republican.

History of Whiteside County Portraits & Biographical Pg. 519