Iowa Old Press
Pocahontas Record
Pocahontas, Pocahontas co. Iowa
Thursday, September 15, 1898
THE PASSING OF A PIONEER
Michael Collins, whose axe was one of the first to ring in the
woods of the Lizard, whose stalwart form was among the first to
startle the Indian in Pocahontas county and whose log cabin,
always open to welcome and shelter and feed the traveler when no
other civilized human habitation could be seen upon the banks of
the historic Lizard creek, has given his soul back to his Maker
and gone to his eternal reward.
His demise occurred at his home in Clare at six o'clock last
Saturday evening. Friends in large numbers were there to
administer to him the last sad office for the dead, to fittingly
prepare him for burial and sympathize with and console his
mourning relatives for in all his large acquaintance Michael
Collins hand not one enemy. To know him was to be his friend for
he died as he lived- honorable and honored. The funeral, which
took place Monday, was one of the largest ever seen on the Lizard
that community of large funerals and eminent respect for the
dead. His funeral service was the beautiful mass for the dead of
the Catholic church and surely no more touching tribute could be
paid to one than were the prayers of the kneeling throng for the
repose of the soul of Michael Collins, the pioneer, the
patriarch, and the honest man.
Michael Collins was born in the parish of Dunbeg, County Clare,
Ireland, March 10, 1821. At an early age he came to America and
settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. On June 9, 1855, he came with
his wife and three children to Pocahontas county, Iowa, and
settled on the banks of Lizard Creek about a mile north of where
the Catholic church now stands. His brother, Hugh, now deceased,
and R.P. Furlong, who had come the year before, were his only
neighbors. Walter Ford, friend and neighbor of Richard Collins
for over 40 years says of him: "In those early days people
on search of homes were directed to Collins' grove and there
found Mr. Collins always willing to assist them in finding homes,
and of the many that were welcomed under his roof while finding
or securing a home, not one was ever charged a cent for anything.
He took them over the prairies in his wagon and showed them the
choicest homesteads. He was often called from his work several
times a day when the Lizard Creek was high to ferry travelers
across the stream in his dugout which was hewn from a basswood
tree. These services were always gratuitous."
Could anything more or better be said of the man? And Michael
Collins prospered, as he should, and leaves behind him a fine
estate which has already become famous in the historical annals
of Pocahontas county. Thus we have outlined his life as
accurately as possible from the data at hand. A more extended and
complete obituary should be written for in this world there are
not many men more greatly loved and admired and more deeply
mourned than was Michael Collins. May his soul rest in peace.
He leaves an aged widow, one son and two daughters, Miss Bridget
Collins and Mrs. John Calligan, of Clare.--Manson Democrat.
[transcribed by C.J.L., April 2006]