Charles Martin Collins 1857-1941

Charles Martin Collins was born in May 1857, (his obit says 14 May 1855 but all other records list 1857). Census records indicate he was born in Illinois but I have no idea what county. His obituary states he was born in Buchanan County Missouri but I believe this is incorrect. He was the son of Stephen L. & Mary Marie Helfer Collins, and the brother of my Great-grandfather (Ahira Mark Collins b. 1859 in NE). Charlie would have been about 11 years old when they moved to Dade county Missouri. He spent the rest of his life there. He married Cordelia Jane Harris King on 21 Jan 1877, in Dade County. They had 5 children; Edward R. 1877-1916, Dora Effie (Asher),1882-1902, William Stephen 1884-1921, Frances "Fannie" Leora (Cochran), 1891-1973, and Joseph (who probably died as a child). Either Cordelia died, or they divorced before 28 Nov 1922, which is the date Charley married Cordelia's sister Lillian Ann Harris Cook. Lillian died in 1928. Charley was a farmer his entire life.

This photo is identified as Charley Collins and his brother Ahira Mark Collins taken in the late 30's in Missouri.

Charley died tragically when his home caught fire in December 1941.
His death notice and obituary are from the Lockwood Luminary and supplied by the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Obituaries of Charles M. Collins
Both from the Lockwood Luminary

Friday, 2 January 1942

Chas. M. Collins Meets Horrible Death in Fire
A tragic death occurred to Charley M. Collins, one of Dade County's pioneer residents, Monday morning about eight o'clock. He was 86 years of age and lived alone on his farm about four miles northeast of Lockwood. He had arisen and built a fire in a kitchen stove. In some manner his clothing caught fire and he ran outside to a well where there was a small trough. Apparently he either tore the burning clothing from his body or it was burned and fell from him because near the well there were several pieces of clothing and a pipe which he evidently had been smoking. Either in an effort to return to the house to save some of his belongings or because he was dazed with pain, he returned to the house. The building was enveloped in flames when nearby neighbors arrived at the place and there was nothing they could do to put out the fire.
After the fire died down a search was made for the aged man and what was left of his body was found among the ruins. R.L. Haunschild, undertaker, was called and brought the remains to his home for preparation for burial. Services are announced for Thursday afternoon at the Lockwood Baptist church. Burial will follow at the Collins cemetery, north of Lockwood.

Friday 9 January 1942

Charley M. Collins
Charley M. Collins was born May 14, 1855, in Buchanan county, Missouri, and departed this life December 29, 1941, at nine o'clock a.m at the age of 86 years, 7 months, and 15 days. He was the son of Rev Stephen and Martha Collins. At an early age he came to Dade county with his parents, and spent the remainder of his lifetime in this county.
He was united in marriage to Cordelia Jane Harris in January, 1878. To this union five children were born, Edward, Dora, Effie, William Stephen, Joseph and Fannie Leora. All have preceded him in death except Mrs Fannie Leora Cochran. He is survived by four grandchildren, Gilbert and Maurice Collins, Vera Beisner and Golden Collins, also six great grandchildren.
He was converted at the age of twenty-two and was later ordained a deacon in the Lockwood Baptist church, where he served the remainder of his life.
Funeral services were held at Lockwood Baptist Church, Thursday afternoon, January 1st. The sermon was delivered by Rev Geo Gray. Burial was at the Collins cemetery, north of Lockwood, under direction of R.L. Haunchild.

Clara M. (Collins) Powell 1870-1940

Clara M. Collins was born about March of 1870, the oldest child of Christopher Royce and Esta Jennie Cleavinger Collins, the first cousin of my Grandpa Mark Collins. In 1870 she is living with her parents in Daviess County Missouri. Christopher & Jennie had married there in Dec of 1868. In 1880 she is living with her family in Brownville, Nemaha Co., Nebraska. By 1887 her family had moved to St. Joseph, MO, where she is listed as a seamstress working for Wood Manufacturing Co, and living at 311 Middleton St. With her mother and brother Stephen Moses Collins, they moved to 1208 N. 3^rd St in St. Joe by 1890, she is still listed as a seamstress. 10 years later, the 1900 census has Clara M. Collins born, March 1870 in MO, divorced, a dressmaker, her father born in OH, and her mother born in MO. I cannot find Clara in the 1910 census. Sometime before the death of her father in 1919, Clara married Bertrand B. Powell and moved to Chicago where she and her husband were listed in the 1920 census. By 1930 they had moved to Marion Co., IN, where she died in 1940 of lobar pneumonia. Her residence was listed as 2421 N. Ritter St. in Indianapolis IN. As far as I can tell she had no children.

John Timothy Collins 1864-1926

John Timothy Collins was born the 9th of June 1864 in Nebraska, the son of Stephen L. & Mary Marie Helpher Collins. He was a farmer and shoemaker. In Jan 1884, he married Laura M. Rogers in Dade Co., MO, and they had 5 children. They were: Ira Jacob (b. Dec 1884), Mary F. (b. July 1892), Laura Maud (b. July 1896), Charley (b. 1901), and Linnie L. (b. 1904).

From the good folk at the Missouri Archives.

Lockwood Luminary - 19 Mar 1926
J.T. Collins passed away at his house in Lockwood Monday morning at an early hour, following a grave illness that extended over several months duration. Early last year Mr. Collins was taken to a Springfield hospital for an operation. He was brought home in a short time, his family being advised that he would never be well. A greater part of the time his suffering has been intense. Regardless of the many disappointments, in the face of the fact that he knew his condition was hopeless, he was a patient sufferer. Those who knew him best and saw him most were his best friends. Mr. Collins had maintained a shoe repair shop in Lockwood for years. He submitted to an operation years ago, at which time one of his limbs was amputated near the hip. He was compelled to use a crutch and often working all day at his place of business when others of much better health would have been at home. He was 61 years of age. Funeral services were held at Lockwood Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. E. L. Leonard, of Springfield, a former friend of the deceased. Burial was at Lockwood Cemetery. Mr Collins is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, other relatives and friends.

Lockwood Luminary
Ira Collins left Sunday morning for Bethany MO, where he has secured employment. Mr Collins spent the past several weeks at this place assisting in the care of his father, J.T. Collins. The later passed away the day following the departure of his son.

Lockwood Luminary
Charley Collins and wife returned to Lockwood Saturday from Kansas City where the former ha been employed since the first of the year. They will remain indefinitely at the home of Mrs J.T. Collins.

Lockwood Luminary
Mr & Mrs Jack Baker were called to Lockwood Monday from their home in Kansas City by a message announcing the death of the latter's father, J.T. Collins.