Thomas Collins 1823-1912

COLLINS, SMITH, SWINGLE, MCCURDY, FORTNA

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/15/2018 at 08:47:22

21 March 1912 - West Branch Times (copied in part from the Stafford (Kans.) Courier

Thomas Collins was born at Woodbury, N.J., on Oct. 8, 1823. When but a small boy he moved with his parents to Salem, Ohio, where he was married on Feb. 24, 1848, to Clarissa Warren Smith. In 1850 they moved to Illinois, and the following year they crossed the Mississippi and took up a homestead near West Branch, Iowa. In later years he became interested in stock raising and moved to Southern Kansas, where he lived until the death of Mrs. Collins, eight years ago. He had for some time made his home with his daughter, Mrs. T. M. Swingle, of Rock Island, Ill., where his death occurred on Feb. 14, 1912. The body was brought to Stafford, where the funeral services were held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. L. McCurdy, at 2:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. L. F. Mulhollen of the M.E. church.

Mr. Collins was converted to the Baptist faith when a young man, but later in company with his wife he transferred his membership to the United Brethren church and remained a faithful member until the end. He was a man of temperate habits and to this fact is attributed the fullness of years which were his.

Deceased leaves six children--E. S. Collins, Neola, Kansas; Alonzo Collins, Independence, Iowa; Emmor Collins, Tipton, Iowa; Mrs. D. K. Fortna, Turon, Kansas; Mrs. T. M. Swingle, Rock Island, Illinois and Mrs. H. L. McCurdy of Stafford.