Collins, Arthur Clinton 1857-1938 & Elizabeth Buffin Family

COLLINS, BUFFIN, BUFFUM, PARKER, SNELL

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/14/2023 at 11:08:36

Collins, Arthur Clinton 1857-1938 and Elizabeth Buffin Family

This story was taken from page 369 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg. Read the obituaries of Arthur and Elizabeth Collins at the end of this narrative. Not a better biography of their lives could be found.

Arthur Clinton Collins was born Sept. 22, 1857 at Alexander, N.Y. from a family of 3 brothers and 1 sister. He came to Iowa where he married Elizabeth Buffin (who was born in Illinois in 1868). They lived all their married life in Ireton in the house now occupied by the Steve Robins. They did have some property along the south shore of the Big Spirit Lake where they enjoyed their summers.

A.C. was in the cattle business, later had a slaughter house (north of the Don Van Wyhe farm, straight west of Ireton) and also a meat market on Main Street. After Niagara Falls became popular, Mr. Collins found out he was born only 100 miles from there and had never heard of it, so he went back just to see the sight.

Mrs. Collins’ sister, Mrs. Naomi Billings, also resided in Ireton. Mrs. Billings was the adopted mother of Christina Rogers. In later years Mrs. Billings was confined to a wheel chair at which time she moved in with the A.C. Collins family. (Naomi died Dec. 21, 1936 at the age of 97 years and 11 months).

Mrs. Collins died Mar. 21, 1928. Mr. Collins died Feb. 9, 1938. The Depression left its mark on the Collins family. In May of 1930 Mr. Collins lost his lake shore property to the Moville State Bank.

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg, in addition to above family information taken from a family account on ancestry.com which was submitted by other than this submitter.

Arthur Clinton Collins was born 22 Sep 1857 Alexander, Genesee, New York and died 9 Feb 1938 at Ireton Iowa. His parents were Jonathan Colllins 1813-1893 and Julia Parker 1820-1903 On 8 Jan 1885 he married Ella Elizabeth Buffum at Centerville, SD

Ella Elizabeth Buffum was born 14 Jan 1868 Andalusia, Rock Island County Illinois, and died 21 Mar 1928 Ireton Iowa. She was the daughter of Milton D. Buffum 1831-1905 and Sophia Margaret Snell 1838-1920.

CHILDREN - They were the parents of the following children taken from pages 369 and 370 of the Ireton Centennial Book:

1. HARRY CLINTON COLLINS 1886-1940
Harry Clinton Collins was born 1 Jul 1886 Ireton Iowa and died 8 Oct 1940 Ireton IA. He married Emma Irene Reed 1900-1961. Harry Collins married Emma Reed of Orleans (Spirit Lake) Nov. 17, 1915.
They lived on an acreage in the SW part of Ireton where Harry was a farmer and also had a milk route for a time. Because of a heart condition early in life Harry was unable to work. They moved to a house in town on the corner of 6th and Elm, which has been torn down.

Harry was born in 1886 and passed away Oct. 7, 1940 from a heart attack. Emma had polio at the age of 17 and later was confined to a walker. She was born in 1900 and passed away July 26, 1961. They were the parents of 15 children: Dorothy Blanche 1916-1918, Robert Kenneth 1918-1980, Glenn Arthur 1919-1992, Betty Joyce 1921-1993, Edwin Omer 1923-1974, Ben Keith 1924-2001, Bonnie Jean 1926-2015, Mary Jane 1927-1987, Leon 1928-2014, Dwight Clinton 1930-1931, Conrad LeRoy 1932-2002, Arlin Bruce 1934-1981, Carole Lee 1938-2011, Bonita Kaye, and Richard Harry 1941-1973.

2. JENNIE ELIZABETH COLLINS 1889-1916
Jennie Elizabeth Collins was born May 24, 1889 in Ireton. She never married, and passed away Feb. 25, 1916 of heart failure.

3. NAOMI MARGARET COLLINS 1893-1966
Naomi Collins was born Jan. 26, 1893 in Ireton. She was a member of the Ireton “Bloomer Girls” basketball team (1910). She married Ray Muth from the McNally area. After their marriage they moved to South Dakota where Ray worked for the “Home Stake Gold Mine.” During World War II they moved to Washington state where Ray worked in the ship yards, having to retire because of an accident at work which left him blind. They were the parents of two sons, James and Donald.

4. VELDA MARIE COLLINS 1900-1942
Velda Marie Collins was born Aug. 1, 1899 in Ireton. She graduated May 2, 1918, from Ireton High School. She married Bill Meredith from Meridan, Ia. After their marriage they moved to Decatur, Al. They had no children. At the time of A.C. Collins death, Velda and Bill came home on a motorcycle with a side car.

5. JOHN ARTHUR COLLINS 1903-1976
Arthur Collins was born Jan. 2, 1903 in Ireton. He married Thelma Diebener from Spirit Lake. After their marriage they lived a short while in Spirit Lake, then Swea City, Ia. and later they moved to Arkansas. They had no children.

6. KENNETH DWIGHT COLLINS 1905-1974
Kenneth D. Collins was born Dec. 1, 1905 in Ireton. He worked for Chris Lent (doing plaster work), later working for the railroad. He moved to the acreage SW of Ireton after it was vacated by the Harry Collins family where he lived for the rest of his life. Ken never married, and passed away Dec. 30, 1974.

OBITUARY OF ARTHUR C. COLLINS 1857-1938

Source: Hawarden Independent (2-17-1938) Born: September 22, 1857 Died: February 9, 1938
PIONEER CITIZEN LAID TO REST
The funeral of Arthur C. Collins was held at the home at 2 o’clock last Friday afternoon. The body had been lying in state from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. giving the many friends of the departed a chance to take a last look at him, who in his last long sleep seemed so peaceful and at rest. The floral tributes were very choice and many, coming from neighbors, friends and relatives far and near. Reverend W.O. Harper was in charge at the home and cemetery. The Presbyterian quartette sang two beautiful numbers. Words of comfort and helpfulness were spoken. The pallbearers, old neighbors and friends, were C.B. Houlton, J.A. Landenman, John Vlothe Jr., John Moeller, Richard Herwynen and Henry Poll.
Arthur Clinton Collins, son of Jonathan and Julia Collins, was born at Alexandria, New York, September 22, 1857. He was one of a family of five children. He spent his youth and early manhood in the east, coming to Sioux County in 1881, just before the North Western railroad was built through. In 1885 he was married to Elizabeth Buffum at Centerville, South Dakota.

They came to Ireton to make their home and all these years the deceased has lived here until death called him. To this union six children were born. Jennie preceded her parents in death February 25, 1915, and Mrs. Collins passed away March 21, 1928. Since the death of his wife Mr. Collins and his youngest son Kenneth have been living together in the home. Mr. Collins has not been well for some years yet he was able to be up and about. Some months ago a complications of trouble and he was finally taken to the University Hospital at Iowa City where he submitted to an operation. He was able to return home about six weeks before the last attack and had recovered sufficient strength to be up and about in his home. On Thursday, February 3rd, he suffered a stroke and from that time he failed rapidly until death came to his relief about 3:00 P.M. February 9th. He had reached the ripe old age of 80 years, 4 months and 18 days.

The children who mourn the loss of father are Harry and Kenneth of Ireton; Arthur of Swea City, Iowa; Mrs. William Meredith of Decatur, Alabama, and Mrs. Ray Muth of Lead, South Dakota. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Collins was one of Ireton’s earlier business men and for many years was buying, selling, and shipping stock, mostly to Chicago. He became interested in the grain business and for a time was in partnership with Louis Staben, operating a grain elevator here and at one time he was also interested in Ireton’s meat market. Those who knew him best in his business career speak very highly of his good judgment and accuracy in buying cattle and hogs. He had one of the earlier fine homes in Ireton and always took pride in its appearance and upkeep. He had many friends and his genial, happy disposition were always a drawing factor, Generous to a fault to his family, he will be missed from the community.

OBITUARY OF ELIZABETH COLLINS 1868-1928

Source: Hawarden Independent (3-29-1928) Born: January 14, 1868 Died: March 21, 1928
The funeral services for the late Mrs. Arthur C. Collins were held at the home at 2 o’clock last Friday afternoon. The larg e home was filled with sympathetic friends and neighbors and almost as many were outside not being able to get in. Reverend William P. Webb, pastor of the Methodist Church, was in charge and spoke a message of comfort to the bereaved ones. He also spoke of the good virtues, the quiet home life, the devotion of her husband and children of the departed. Two beautiful songs were rendered by a sextets composed of Mrs. Anna Steele, Fern Satterlee, Mrs. L.L. Smith, Mrs. Fred Kluter and Professor J.R. Coons. Burial was made in our cemetery beside a daughter, who died twelve years ago.

Elizabeth Buffum Collins was born at Andalusia, Illinois, January 14, 1868, where her girlhood years were spent. In 1884 she came to Ireton, making her home with a sister, Mrs. A.H. Mosher. She was united in marriage with Arthur C. Collins at Centerville, South Dakota, January 15, 1885, and they came to Ireton to make their home. Six children were born to this union, five of the remaining to mourn the loss of a devoted mother.

She is survived by her children - Harry and Kenneth Collins of Ireton, Arthur Collins of Moville, Mrs. Ray Muth of Spencer, South Dakota, Mrs. William Meredith of Birmingham, Alabama. 5 sister - Mrs. A. H. Mosher of LeMars, Mrs. S. Mosher of Coffeeville, Mississippi, Mrs. Ira Johnson of Taylor Ridge, Illinois , Mrs. Frank Seifedt of Rock Island, Illinois, Mrs. Stoump of Rock Island, Illinois, one brother, Ira Buffum of Rock Island, Illinois and nine grand-children.

The picture of the A. C. Collins Family was taken from page 369 of the Ireton Centennial book.

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