From Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, 1882:

GEORGE H. ROBY, farmer, Section 24, Town 9, Range 4 west P.O. Grafton, Fillmore County. Was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., February 17, 1845. His parents were Jacob W. and Esther C. Roby. The former of Welsh and the latter of German descent, who settled in Dodge County, Wis., in 1853 (His father's biography states Fall of 1851). After receiving a common school education, he entered the State University at Madison in 1863, where he was a student for two terms. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the rebellion with the First Wisconsin Cavalry, Company E, and served until the close of the same. Then returned home and commenced farming, and on the 29th of January, 1867, was married in Dodge County, Wis., to Miss Mary A. Underwood, formerly from New York State. They have five children, Carrie A., Cecile A., Iva L., Edwin D. and Jacob W.

--In 1886 they had twins- which run in the Roby family- Earl, who died along with the mother, and Pearl, who survived.

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George remarried to Mary A. Sypher January 17, 1888, so both wives were Mary A. Roby. It is the latter one that had the pension application. After George's death she married Langdon D. Sawyer and as Mary A. Sawyer she applies for George's Civil War pension as guardian of her step-children Jake and Pearl Roby who are enumerated in the 1900 census in the Sawyer household.

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The jacket he is wearing is a regulation jacket for mounted troops-often called a "shell jacket". The trim on the uniform was yellow, although period photos often make it look dark.- Earl Robinson, noted Civil War collector and antiques dealer.

The photo has a tax stamp on the reverse, dating it to a tax on photography in place from August, 1864 to August, 1866.

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-York Republican, York Nebraska, April 1896:

--Geo. Roby,who came here from Red Oak, Iowa some weeks age on a visit to his children died last Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs.Wm. McKelvie, Deceased leaves a wife and six children, three of the children are well known here, Mrs. McKelvie, Misses Iva and Cecil (sic) Roby. The remains of the deceased were taken to Grafton Sunday for interment. Short services were held at the residence of Mr. McKelvie, the remains were accompanied to Grafton by Messrs. J. P. Miller, J. T. Allen, Nathan Johnson, John Medler and D. Hutchison. On arriving at Grafton funeral services were held in the Congregational church, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Grafton cemetery.

York Times, York Nebraska, April 1896:

Last Saturday evening at 5 o'clock Mr. George Roby died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Will McKelvey in the south part of town. He came here from Red Oak, Ia., several weeks age and was confined to the house until his death, the immediate cause of which was typhoid malaria. Mr. Roby was an old soldier and also an old and well known resident of this pary of the country. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his loss. Mrs. McKelvey and Misses Cecile and Ivy Roby who are all well known in this city. The deceased comrade was buried by the G. A. R. of this place yesterday. After short services at the house the body was taken to Grafton where funeral services again held in the Congregational church, after which the body was buried in the Grafton cemetery. Messrs. J. T. Allen, J. P. Miller, Nate Johnson, D. Hutchison and John Meddlar, of York, all G. A. R. men acted as pall bearers.

The GAR marker is cemented into the base of a tombstone shared by his first wife and their child Earl. I believe meant to serve as an indicator he was placed beside his loved ones who had died 10 years earlier.

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Photo of grave courtesy of Beth Wilkins.