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