Samuel "Sam" Collins 1845-1937

COLLINS, AMES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/14/2011 at 21:50:44

Sam Collins Pioneer Passed Away
Samuel Collins, one of Estherville’s pioneer citizens, passed away last Sunday evening after an illness which had kept him bedfast for the past fifteen months. A heart attack caused by his exteme age and long illness took his [life] away suddenly.

“Sam” Collins as he has been known to old and young since his arrival here in 1868, was born in Uxbridge, Canada. When he was 23 years of age he came to Estherville and since that time has been a constant resident and an excellent one with friends numbered by his acquaintances.

Operates Railway
When he first arrived in this city he operated his own railway, bringing a freighter from Fort Dodge to Estherville, before there were any railways here. These trips were by overland with teams. Later when the B.C.R.&N. railway located here with the shops, he entered their employ. It was while in the performance of duty that a box care hit him taking off one hand.

In 1891 he was elected county recorder and this office he held for 16 years. His long service at the hands of the voters indicted Mr. Collins had personality and ability. His record as a recorder was the best and his books were kept in a satisfactory manner.

Pioneer Ball Team
In the early days Mr. Collins was a member of the Northern Blizzard ball team. This team played four years and never lost a game. There are now only two members of the team here, A. O. Peterson and Geo. C. Allen. John Corey of Spencer is the other member still living. These four men were together a few years ago at a reunion of old settlers and played some of the games all over again.

The funeral services were held on Wednesday from the Mahlum and Anderson chapel at two o’clock and from the Methodist church at 2:30, the Rev. F. W. Ortmeyer officiating. Burial was made in Oak Hill cemetery.

The deceased is survived by his widow [Martha Ames Collins] and one son, Jay Collins of Milwaukee, Wis. Jay was in the city visiting his parents at the time of his father’s death. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 27, 1937)