COLLIN, John A. (1870-1924)

COLLIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/1/2020 at 14:45:54

John Alford Collin
(April 23, 1870 – May 14, 1924)

Ida County Pioneer, Ida Grove, Iowa, Wed., May 21, 1924, p.1, col.2
Worried Over Money Affairs; Community Shocked by Death of John Collin After Few Hours Sickness
It was with a great shock of bewilderment that the people of Ida Grove community learned late last Wednesday afternoon, May 14, that John Collin had come to his death by an act of self destruction. Returning to his home about 11:30 a.m., from his duties at the Lindsay store, he showed symptoms of being very sick and soon a doctor was summoned. Although Mr. Collin was reticent about what had happened, it was finally learned that he had taken rat poison. A physician worked over him for two or three hours, and it was thought for a while that his rescue efforts were going to be successful, but finally the patient sank into a stupor and died at four o’clock. Mr. Collin had kept his business transactions much to himself and having, like many others, invested in land, he found himself in adversity. He evidently took this to heart, brooded over it, and this brought about the tragic circumstances of his death. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, a brief service at the house, being followed by public services at the Methodist church in charge of Rev. J. J. Davies. The remains were laid to rest in Ida Grove Cemetery.
John Alford Collin was the son of John and Johanna Collin and was born in Norway, Benton County, Iowa, April 23, 1870 and lived to the age of 54 years and 21 days. From Benton County, the family moved to Gilman and from there to Ida County in 1880, locating in Silver Creek Township. Here John Collin spent most of his life on the farm. In 1914 he moved to Ida Grove and for nearly ten years he and his family have lived in this city. He was married January 23, 1901 to Gertrude Noll and to this union two children were born: Paul and Elizabeth. Paul is a student at State University of Iowa and Elizabeth is attending the public schools. Mr. Collin was a man of quiet demeanor, of simple habits, industrious, honest and of unquestioned integrity. He lived for his family and was in sympathy with the best things of life. His days were spent with no other purpose than the care of his loved ones. With very little leisure or diversion, he pursued the path of honest toil and had a reputation that commanded the confidence of all men. He was a member of the Silver Creek Congregational church. Since living in Ida Grove, the family has regularly attended the Methodist Church. He was a member of the Berean Sunday School class and of the Men’s club. The last Sunday of his life, he drove this car, taking a group of young people to the Epworth League convention at Wall Lake. Mr. Collin is survived by his wife and two children, also by three brothers; Joseph of Silver Creek township; Safrien Collin of Walnut Grove, Minn., Albin of Ida Grove, by one sister, Miss Tena Collin of Ida Grove.