COLLINS, Harrison - 1912 Bio (1839-1910)

COLLINS, MCGEE, DUNN, FLEENER, FANCHER, LATTA, BENNETT

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/11/2005 at 17:35:32

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 247-248

HARRISON COLLINS

“When Harrison COLLINS passed away a year ago, Locust Grove township lost one of its best known, wealthiest and most highly respected citizens. He was for many years actively interested in farming, conducting operations on an extensive scale; but no matter how many responsibilities his own affairs entailed, he was never too much occupied to give generously of his time and energy whenever the public welfare demanded his aid or cooperation. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, August 29, 1839, being a son of J. E. and Emaline (McGEE) COLLINS; the former of English descent and a native of Kentucky, the latter of Irish parentage and a native of Ohio. When seventeen years of age, he came west accompanying his parents to Locust Grove township where they settled just north of Batavia. They were among the pioneer residents of this county, and in the operation of their farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, met with very substantial results.

His early education, Harrison COLLINS obtained in the school of his native locality; supplementing this by further study in the Batavia schools. He then worked in the fields until he came of age and, in 1862, traveled overland to California, drawn thither not by the hope of gaining riches but of regaining his health, which was never robust even when at the prime of his power. In a year, he returned home and for fifteen years after his father’s death managed the farm for his mother. He never left the homestead, but continued to devote himself to the management of the farm, supervising the cultivation of its soil and the breeding of a high grade of stock.

On January 29, 1889, Mr. COLLINS was united in marriage to Miss Anna DUNN, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (FLEENER) DUNN. Mrs. COLLIN’s (sic) father was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish lineage, and during his lifetime followed agricultural pursuits. He came to Jefferson county when a young man, and here was married to Mrs. Harried (FLEENER) FANCHER, who was born in Illinois of English parentage. Mrs. DUNN died when her daughter Anna was three years old. Mr. DUNN was engaged in farming in various parts of Jefferson county until 1873, when he removed to Kansas, where he lived until his death in 1886, near Stockton. In the DUNN family there were only two children: Anna and a sister, Effie, who died at the age of six months.

Mr. COLLINS took much interest in public affairs. He was regarded as one of the most influential men of his community in matters relating to the general welfare, and in shaping the policy and public attitude towards questions of local interest. He was a democrat in his political views, and an ardent worker for the advancement of higher educational standards. He served for years as a member of the board of directors of school district, No. 7, of Locust Grove township. He maintained fraternal relations with the Odd Fellows of Batavia. On July 18, 1910, Mr. COLLINS passed away, deeply mourned by his widow, their only child, Bertha May, and one sister and a brother: John H. COLLINS, formerly a farmer and hop dealer, now living retired in Independence in Lammet Valley, Oregon; Mrs. H. LATTA, the wife of Hugh LATTA, a farmer near Batavia in Wapello county, Iowa. A sister, Margaret, was the wife of Ira BENNETT, deceased, who were residents of Jefferson county, their home being near Libertyville but she is also deceased. After the death of her husband, Mrs. COLLINS rented the home farm and valuable land holdings, amounting to more than five hundred acres in the aggregate; and in October, 1910, she removed to Fairfield in order to give her daughter the advantages of higher education. Miss COLLINS is a student in the Fairfield high school, and is a prominent member of the younger social set in the town. She is a charming young girl and a favorite with everyone who knows her excellent qualities. She is a musical student of Parsons College. Her mother purchased a very fine home in West Broadway street, where their friends are lavishly entertained. Mrs. COLLINS is a woman of generous impulses and kind to all, doing good wherever she sees an opportunity. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairfield, having formerly belong to the church of the same denomination in Batavia; to which her husband also belonged.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.