Dr. Thomas J. Collins

Other Events:

• Occupation: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States; dentist
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-220757

Notes:

COLLINS, THOMAS J.

A Scholarly Man Laid to Rest

We refer to the demise of Dr. and Professor Collins, Dean and Secretary of the Department of Dental Surgery of the Detroit College of Medicine, who died at his home in Detroit on January 22, 1909. He was born in Puslinch Township, near Hespeler, about 52 years ago, being the third son of the late Thomas Collins of that township and brother of the late Christopher Collins, for years the Principal of the Roman Catholic Separate School in Guelph. Dr. Collins received all his public school training at S. S. #11, Puslinch, near the Lake and took his first teacher's certificate mainly in the County of Wellington. He was a student, however and climbed and the end of his teaching career found him in possession of the highest public school teacher's certificate this province could award. This was attained mainly by his own efforts. He taught in London, Brockville and Ottawa at different times and for years, was examiner on provincial departmental examinations. But, this was not all. He was a mathematician of a high order and a musician as well, being a superior violinist. For years, too, he was considered one of the best amateur penmen in the province, many of his pen and ink sketches being admirable. To be brief, we shall say that he was a gentleman of a very high order. Up to about 1885, he was well known in and around Hespeler and other members of his family were also. In the early 90's, he gave up the teaching profession and went to the Detroit College of Medicine, with a view to graduating in dentistry. The management at that institution soon recognized, that he was likely to prove too valuable a man to be allowed to go abroad and secured his permanent services, by appointing him a member of the faculty. He was a staunch member of the Roman Catholic Church. During the past summer, Doctor Collins and family spent a portion of their holidays at the home of Isaac U. Cober, near Hespeler and during that time visited the home of his old friend and teacher, ex-Prinicipal Knowles. He leave a wife and two beautiful little girls.

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