Thomas COLLINS

COLLINS, COYLE, RUTHERFORD, GLEASON, HACKETT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:57

October 2, 1850 --- January 30, 1923

Thomas Collins was born in Leekwhitten, [Leek Wootton, Warwickshire, England], Oct. 2, 1850. He came to America when he was 19 years of age, landing first in Woodstock, Canada. A couple of years later he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in the steel mills. In 1885 he came to Hawarden, Iowa, where he started in working on the railroad. For three years he fired an engine, till Nov. 3, 1888, when he became an engineer, which position he held till he was pensioned on Oct. 2, 1921.

On Dec. 26, 1890, [1900] he was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Coyle Rutherford. One son, Thomas, was born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Collins adopted a daughter, who is now Mrs. Wm. Gleason, of Austin, Minn. Mr. Collins died in St. Francis hospital, Freeport, Ill., on the 30th of January, having reached the age of 72 years, 3 months and 28 days.

Mr. Collins was a member of the Episcopal church in England in which church he held his membership till the time of his death. He was also a 32nd degree Mason. He joined this order on April 9, 1873. Had he lived till the coming April he would have celebrated his fiftieth year in Masonry. He was also a member of the B of L. E.

Thomas Collins was the last survivor of his family, all the others having preceded him to the other world. He has an unusual record as a man. Everybody has a good word for him. Among his fellows on the railroad he did not have an enemy on the entire division. He was spoken of as an unusually good man. He was a friend to everybody and everybody was his friend. Those who knew him best liked him best.

The writer knew him when he was making the run out from Alden. When he came to Eagle Grove. Mr. Collins was one of the first men to meet and welcome him here. It has not been so very long ago since he was seen at a service in this church.

The Masons of Bower Lodge had charge of the funeral services. W. G. Muhleman of the Methodist church preached the sermon and the body was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, February 8, 1923

***

Thos. Collins, a veteran engineer on the Northern Iowa division of the Northwestern, a prominent resident of Hawarden in the early days of the town, died Tuesday at Freeport, Illinois, to which place he had gone only a few days before from his home in Eagle Grove to undergo a slight operation. He was about 71 years of age and was pensioned by the Northwestern company about a year ago after nearly fifty years of faithful service. He located in Hawarden in 1883 and resided here for several years, at one time being a director of the First National Bank here. He was well known to the older residents of Hawarden and was always very popular among the railway men. He is survived by his wife and one son.

Hawarden Independent - Hawarden, Iowa
February 1, 1923

****

Per Illinois Death Certificate: Thomas Collins was born in Leekwhitten, England on October 2, 1851 and died on January 30, 1923 in Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois; parents were Thomas Collins and Elizabeth Hackett; wife Margaret Coyle; Burial in Eagle Grove, Iowa;

****
Birth Date is October 2, 1850 and not 1851 as confirmed by his baptism record:
Thomas Collins
Baptism Date: 1 Dec 1850
Baptism Place: Leek Wootton, Warwickshire, England
Parish: Leek Wootton
Father: Thos Collins
Mother: Elizth Collins

****
Further confirmed by 1851 England Census taken March 30, 1851 enumerating Thomas Collins as 4 months of age.

Name: Thomas Collins
Age: 4 Months
Relation: Grandson
Gender: Male
Where born: Wootton, Warwickshire, England
Civil Parish: Leek Wootton
Ecclesiastical parish: Worcester, Warwickshire, : England
Registration District: Warwick
Sub-registration District: Kenilworth
ED: 8
Household Schedule Number: 57
Piece: 2073
Folio: 14
Page Number: 21

***
Marriage:

Wednesday evening at the residence of M. F. Murphy on Commercial avenue occurred the marriage of Thomas Collins and Mrs. Margaret Rutherford. The ceremony was performed by Father Garland at 8 o'clock surrounded by about 120 guests, friends and relatives of the-happy couple. The wedding march was played by the daughter of the bride. The marriage ceremony was followed by a bountiful dinner and the presentation of many useful and beautiful presents, among which was a magnificent silver set. Hugh Donly made the presentation address which was in his own inimitable style. Mr. and Mrs. Collins will make their home in Tama where they will soon begin housekeeping. The EAGLE joins a large circle of friends here in extending congratulations.

Eagle Grove Eagle -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, December 27, 1900