Thomas Collins

As printed in 1908

THOMAS COLLINS, one of Pleasant Township's representative citizens, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest Irish resident of Clark County and was the second of his nationality to settle here. He was born in Ireland in 1837 and is a sor of Henrv and Nellie Collins.

The grandparents and also the parents of Mr. Collins died in Ireland. The six children born to Henry and Nellie Collins bore, respectively, the following names: James, Francis, Patrick, John, Thomas and Margaret. James lived and died on the old sod. Francis left home in early manhood and after working in Scotland he went to America. He never forgot those he left behind and a part of his earnings were sent back each year to the little Irish home. Finally he sent money to pay the passage of his next brother, Patrick, to America, but the latter was not yet ready to leave Ireland, so the money was given to Thomas. Francis married Rose Brady, in New Jersey, and their children who survived infancy were, Margaret, Ella, Anna, Prank, Thomas and Mary. Patrick came to America in

1854 and joined his brother Francis in New Jersey, where he worked in a saw-mill, after which he came to Ohio, later went to Illinois and still later to Nebx'aska, where he died. John, the next brother, died in Ireland, unmarried. Margaret, the only daughter, followed her brothers to America, where she subsequently married Hugh Brady and died in 1905. She left five children.

Thomas Collins spent the first few years after coming to America, in New York and Brooklyn, working mainly as a lather, having learned that trade. He also made a number of voyages as a sailor to Liverpool and other points. He resided at Philadelphia for a short time, but in

1855 he turned his face to the West and came to Clark County. His first work was done in a tannery, and from there he began to clear land for Thomas Houston, by whom he was employed for two years.

after which lie rented a piece of land, which he operated as a farm for three years. From there he moved to South Charleston and was engaged up to 1868 working for different farmers, in the meanwhile saving his money. When he had accumulated enough capital he bought a farm of fifty acres from Newton Conway. It was wild land, but Mr. Collins cleared off the timber, of which he made railroad ties, and for seven winters he hauled wood to Springfield. By his constant industry and wise frugality Mr. Collins made money, but he was heavily taxed for various improvements, having to pay assessments for all the turnpike roads in this section. He continued by purchase to increase the acreage of his farm as fast as he was able. He now owns the home farm in partnership with his son James. It contains 170 acres, sixty-five of which Mr. Collins has reserved for himself. He still assists his son in the management of the place. They carry on general farming and make a specialty of raising cattle and hogs.

In 1855 Mr. Collins was married to Mary Lagion and they have had nine children, namely: John H., Patrick, Thomas, Mary J., Christopher, Margaret, James, Patrick (2d), and Sarah. John H. Collins was born in 1856. He has led a life of adventure, leaving home in 1877. He was a soldier in the Spanish-American War. Patrick, who was born in 1858, died in 1862. Thomas, who was born in

1861, married Lillie Curney and they have four children: Anna, James F., Herbert and Edith. Mary J., who was born in

1862, is housekeeper for Father Hickey, of the Catholic Church at Urbana. Chris-

. topher, who was born in 1863, was married in the West and now lives in Nebraska, has one child, Thomas. Margaret, who was born in 1867, now resides at home and looks after the household affairs. She is the widow of Cornelius Lecy, who died in 1888. They had three children, Mary, Annie and Sarah. Mary, born in 1884, died in the same year, and Annie, born in 1885, died in 1886. Sarah Lucy, born in 1887, married Jeremiah Sullivan and they reside in Madison County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have two children, [name withheld], born in 1906, and Mabe], born in 1907. James, who was born in 1868, is part owner of the home farm. Patrick (2d), who was born iij 1869, died in 1896. Sarah, the youngest of Mr. Collins' children, married Augustus Seidler and they reside at Hannibal, Missouri. They have the following children; Warren, Viola and Vincent. Mr. Collins and all his family belong to the Catholic Church at London, Ohio.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.