Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Collins, Jeremiah 1820 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 3:52 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 Jeremiah Collins Among the early settlers of Grundy county few are better known and none are more generally beloved and honored than is Jeremiah Collins. Coming here when the country was almost entirely wild, he has witnessed its marvelous development and has performed his full share toward its prosperity. By long continued industry and careful business management he accumulated a comfortable fortune, and still, though now nearing four-score years in age, attends to his farm work and supervises all of his financial affairs. The Collins family are of the sturdy old New England stock, and our subject’s father, Joshua Collins, was born September 4, 1779, in Rhode Island. In 1834 he decided to try his fortunes in what was then the far west, - Illinois, - and here he founded a permanent home, bearing the privations of a frontier life with the fortitude of his Pilgrim forefathers. He was nobly aided in his struggles to gain a foothold in the new country by his devoted wife, Margaret Rowe, whom he married November 12, 1808. She was a native of Rhinebeck, New York, born October 27, 1790, and her death occurred September 3, 1839. Joshua Collins followed her to the better land within two years, his death taking place August 27, 1841. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Jeremiah is the only survivor. Theron was born March 13, 1810. Philip, born July 31, 1812, married Ann Stuart, August 31, 1845. Margaret, born March 1, 1815, became the wife of Wesley Blaisdell, of New York state. George was born February 20, 1817; Joshua and Jeremiah, our subject, twins, were born September 19, 1820. Catherine, born October 29, 1823, wedded Nelson Platte, of Plattville, Illinois, and died March 10, 1846. Edward, born April 30, 1829, died September 27, 1839. Franklin, born January 30, 1835, resided at Plattville, this state, and died there March 22, 1845. Jeremiah Collins received his early education in the Empire state. He was a lad of fourteen when he came west with his parents, and for sixty-five years he has made his dwelling place in Grundy county. He cut and hauled the first load of logs used in the construction of the first log house erected in the village of Morris. This was the home of John Cryder, and was situated on the hill just south of the present gas-house. Mr. Collins also took the first load of wheat from Au Sable township to Chicago, in August, 1841. His father was in very poor health, and it became necessary to procure some medicine and supplies from Chicago. Therefore, with thirty-two bushels of wheat, tramped out on the barn floor by himself and brother Joshua and his horses, young Collins started for the city of future greatness, and after he made the purchases he desired, was returning, but ere he reached home the sad news came to him that his father had died. About two years afterward the young man married and settled on a farm of his own, where he has steadily engaged in agriculture. His home is a commodious two-story frame dwelling, with various conveniences, and is finely situated, being placed upon the highest elevation upon his property. For three terms he has been the supervisor of his township, and at all times he has been depended upon by his neighbors to do all within his power in the promotion of good schools, good roads and good government. The wife of Mr. Collins’ early manhood was Hannah Mary, daughter of Michael and Eva Cryder, of Pennsylvania. Their marriage took place in 1843, and in 1845 Mrs. Collins died, as did their infant son, Phillip Henry. Several years passed away and at length our subjected wedded Margaret W. Widney, the ceremony which united their destinies being performed November 16, 1853. She is a daughter of John and Mary Widney, of Kendall county, Illinois. The father, a well-to-do farmer, came to this state in 1845 from Miami county, Ohio, and died January 3, 1879, having survived his wife a short time, as her death occurred August 27, 1877. Their eldest child, Thomas, resides in Chicago; their second son, George, is in Mobile, Alabama; Mary is the wife of H. C. Henderson, of Morris, Illinois; Margaret W. is the next in order of birth; Rachel is the wife of John T. Van Dalsen (formerly of Au Sable township), who died in September, 1857; Joseph, deceased, was a farmer of Kendall county, this state; John J., deceased, also was a farmer of that county; and Luanna M. died in infancy. Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, namely: Joshua Rowe, Hannah Mary and Oscar Eugene. Hannah Mary, the only daughter, who was born May 15, 1857, died May 13, 1881. Joshua Rowe, born November 13, 1854, in Saratoga township, as were the others, is a farmer of this vicinity. He married Annie Holroyd, and has one son, Frank W. Oscar Eugene, born August 3, 1860, married Alice Holroyd, a sister of Mrs. Joshua R. Collins, October 18, 1888, and they, too, are engaged in agricultural pursuits in this neighborhood. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 474-475 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/collins579nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb