In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1873
From A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906)
M. O. COLLINS. Among the younger representatives of the business interests of Berrien county, esteemed alike for his sterling worth of character and his activity in the business world, is M. O. Collins, a worthy schon of one of the pioneer families. He is now extensively engaged in fruit farming on section 3, Pipestone township. He is a native son of this township, his birth occurring on section 3 on the 29th of October, 1873, the third child of William and Emily (Roberts) Collins, who are numbered among the honored early settlers of Berrien county, still residing on the old homestead in section 3, Pipestone township.
To the educational system of this locality M. O. Collins is indebted for the early mental training which he received, and during his early years when not confined in the school room he assisted his father in the work of the homestead, having been early injured to the duties of farm labor. He is now the owner of forty acres of rich and productive land, all of which is devoted to fruit culture with the exception of eight acres, and on his farm he has twenty-two hundred each trees, nine hundred apple trees, three hundred and fifty pear trees and one hundred and fifty cherry trees. During the past two years he has given his entire attention to his fruit farming to the exclusion of all his other interests, and he is meeting with a high degree of success in this endeavor.
On December 29, 1898, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Emma Bakeman, also a native of Pipestone township and a daughter of Henry and Louise (Shafer) Bakeman. One child has been born of this union, a daughter Louise Emily. Since casting his first vote Mr. Collins has supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and as its representative has served in a number of public positions, having for two years been the treasurer of his township. He is a member of the Grange, in which he has served as master, also of the Modern Woodmen, Camp No. 5763, of America, and the Ancient Order of Gleaners at Naomi.
As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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