Michael Collins

Other Events:

• Occupation: Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-171531

Notes:

COLLINS, MICHAEL

On the 17^th September 1912, at his home at Carberry, MB, the second son of the late Thomas Collins of Puslinch. He was born on the old homestead at Puslinch on the 29^th February 1844 and was therefore, in his 69^{, h} year. Mr. Collins was well and favourably known in Hespeler and the surrounding country during the 1860's, 70's and early 80's, having worked as a carpenter in Hespeler for a considerable time. Later, he worked as bridge builder for the Canadian Pacific Railway between Toronto and Winnipeg. About the 1870's, he was a member of the local volunteers, at that time conceded to be one of the finest companies in Canada. Thirty-five years ago, he took up a homestead and was one of the first settlers on the "Big Plain" near Carberry. He lived in a tent the first summer and experienced his share of the hardships of western pioneer life. Notwithstanding this, he increased the dimensions of his farm and was for many years, one of the most successful western farmers and a useful and influential man in the community in which he lived. When the Big Plain district was formed into municipalities, Mr. Collins was appointed Secretary-Treasurer for North Cypress, which office he held till his death. He was also a justice of the peace and many a culprit had reason to regret coming before him, as Mr. Collins was a law-abiding man and had no use for law-breakers. He was a man of far more than ordinary intelligence, being of an agreeable, genial turn of mind. He was, too, a popular member of the masonic order. Not feeling in the best of health, he retired from the farm last spring to live in the town of Carberry. His condition was not considered serious and the end came rather unexpected. On the 29^th February 1888, he married Isabel Switzer, who proved a worthy life companion, by whom there were three sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Thomas is now on the old homestead; the second son, Michael is on his pre-emption farm; the third, John and daughters, Isabel and Annie are now at home. Mr. Collin's brothers were the late John Collins of Idaho; the late Professor Thomas J. Collins of the Detroit College of Dentists and Surgeons; the late Christopher Collins, at one time principal of the Guelph Roman Catholic Separate School; and George, the only surviving brother, a veterinary and schoolteacher in Manitoba. The sisters are Mrs. Egan of Wilmington, Delaware; Mrs. Barrett of Galt; Mrs. O'Hara of Detroit; Mrs. Wood of Vancouver; and Miss Fanny, now of Wilmington, Delaware.

- Information from marriage certificates: Of the daughters of Thomas Collins and Ann Kelly, Margaret Collins (born c. 1853) married Richard Barrett in 1878; Catherine Collins (born c. 1853) married Michael O'Hare; Ellen Collins (born c. 1860) married John Woods; Mary Ann (born c. 1846) married John Eagen.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111938
• Immigration: 1835, , Canada

Notes:

COLLINS, THOMAS

At age 80, on Friday morning, 26^th February 1886, from old age. An old resident of Puslinch, Mr. Collins lived for forty-nine years on the farm near Puslinch Lake, from whence he was buried. He was born in the county of Louth, Ireland in 1805. He came to Canada in 1835 but it was not till five years later, that he settled in Puslinch, then a wild and unsettled district, especially in the vicinity of the Lake. Since then, he has lived there a quiet and industrious life. He was highly respected and beloved by all for his noble qualities and unassuming disposition. His widow and large family survive; five sons and five daughters are still living. Among the sons are C. C. Collins, principal of the separate school here; J. T. Collins, formerly of Eramosa but now, principal of the Brockville School; and George Collins, former teacher of the Brock Road School in Puslinch. The funeral was held on Sunday from his residence to the Catholic Church at Hespeler, where the solemn services for the dead were conducted by Rev. Father Kiely, S. J. of Guelph, after which his body was interred in the Catholic Cemetery. The funeral was a large one; about 79 double and single teams were in attendance.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Thomas — Ann Kelly. Ann was born CALC 19 Dec 1816, , Ireland; died 27 Jun 1901, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Mary's of the Visitation Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Ann Collins
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111939

Notes:

COLLINS, ANN (Nee Kelly)

At the old farm homestead, one mile from Hespeler on the Lake Road. Relict of Thomas Collins, on Friday, June 27, 1901, aged 84 years, 6 months, 8 days. One of the pioneer settlers of these parts. She and her husband were natives of Ireland and staunch members of the Roman Catholic Church. A family of men and women holding creditable positions are the lasting monument to their good citizenship. The surviving family are John Collins and Michael Collins of Carberry, MB; Thomas Collins, dentist, at Detroit; Chris Collins of Guelph; George Collins of Hespeler; Minnie Collins, who has resided with her mother; and a married daughter, who resides in BC. Funeral from lot 4, concession 2 to Hespeler Roman Catholic Cemetery.

-Information from the death certificate: Of lot 4, rear concession 2, Puslinch.


A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark