Calhoun County Georgia Bio of Joseph G. Collier 1830 - 1905 Submitted by Charlene Parker Sep 2002 ****************************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profitor for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ****************************************************************************************** From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller JOSEPH G. COLLIER 1830-1905 The subject of this sketch was born in Early County, Georgia near where the City of Arlington now stands on what was known as the Perry Place at that time,. but now the old Bostwick Home Place, June 5, 1830. He grew up as other country boys in that section and early in life united with the Missionary Baptist Church at what was then known as Old Benevolence Church in Early County and was baptized by Rev. John Martin. On September 11, 1850 he married Miss Julia H. A. Perry, but she died in 1863. Sometime later he married Miss Mary Francis Brunson of Calhoun County. After his second marriage he made his home in Calhoun County a few miles north east of Arlington, where he lived until his death on January 12, 1905. While living in Early County before his second marriage he was clerk of the old Benevolence Church. After moving to Calhoun County he placed his membership in the Salem Church where it remained until his death. Soon after joining the Salem Church he was made Clerk of that church and also deacon, which offices he served until his declining health and old age forced him to resign. Brother Collier assisted in the organization of the Baptist Church at Arlington. He never missed a conference of his church when it was possible for him to be present and rarely if ever any service held in his church. He was intensely interested in the building of his church and in the surrounding community. In those pioneer days a good scribe, well-versed in parliamentary law in great demand and hence without giving up his work as Clerk of Salem Church he gladly lent his services to the young and struggling church at Arlington, and acted as its first Clerk. He was active in his efforts to keep his church pure and free from members who disregarded the requirements of the Christian religion, and at the church conferences he felt it his duty to help those who were lacking in this respect to leave off their bad habits and live Christian lives. His home duties were so arranged that he should not be absent when there were services at his church. His judgment was good, and he was often called upon not only by his own church but by others to advise them of the Baptist Doctrines and practices. His influence in his community reached out and affected all the surrounding communities and churches with whom he came in contact. Truly he was a pioneer layman of this section of the State. following notes added by Debra Crosby 1850 Early Co. Ga Census 25th division page 333 69/69 Elizabeth Perry 63 f 300 Ga Joseph Collier 20 m laborer Ga 1850 Early Co. Ga Census 25th division page 38/38 Joseph Collier 35 m farmer Ga 1200 Jane 27 f Ga Joseph W. 14 m Ga Eliza J. 2 f Ga Geo. W. Stewart 14 m Ga Martha J. Duke 4 f Ga Georgia Marriages Early County Collier, Joseph - Pearson, Dorcas 29 May 1834 Georgia Marriages Early County Collier, Joseph - Stewart, Harriet Jane 30 May 1839