OBIT: Leigh R. COLLINS, 1931, Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pa File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library. Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ LEIGH R. COLLINS Leigh R. Collins is Called Higher Well Known Meyersdale Druggist Succumbs to Illness Due to Heart Disease Although seriously ill at his home on Front Street for more than a month, the death of Leigh R. Collins, Monday forenoon, Nov. 9, came as a shock to the people of Meyersdale and vicinity. On Sunday his condition appeared to be so much better than it had been for some days previously that strong hopes for his recovery were entertained. But his diseased vital organ, the heart, ceased to function ere Monday noon and his spirit took its flight. The news of his death spread rapidly and caused profound sorrow, for no citizen of Meyersdale possessed more sterling qualities nor was held in higher esteem by all classes of the local populace. Mr. Collins was taken seriously ill the early part of October and had been confined to his bed ever since. He rallied several times and appeared to be on the road to recovery, but each time he suffered a relapse, the last one proving fatal. Leigh R. was the second son of the late Rev. B. B. and Ella A. Dalp Collins. He was born at Chalfonte, Pa., March 21, 1881, and was, therefore a little over 50 1/2 years of age. He came to Meyersdale with his parents when a child and lived here the greater part of his life. He was graduated from the Meyersdale High School in 1896, when but 15 years old. The late Prof. Speicher, who was principal of the high school at that time, pronounced him the brightest boy who had ever come under his tutelage. Later he was graduated from the College of Pharmacy, of Pittsburgh University, and when still quite a young man he engaged in the drug business in Brushton, a suburb of Pittsburgh. In 1907 he removed to Meyersdale and opened a drug store here which he continued in several different locations for 24 years, the present location of the Collins Drug Store being in the Naugle Block, corner of Center and Main streets. Here he built up a large and prosperous business. He also started the Collins Drug Store in Berlin, now owned and managed by his brother, Philson D. Collins. In partnership with Clarence Moore, he also conducted a music store in Somerset for several years. Early in his career as a druggist, Mr. Collins became affiliated with the Rexall system of drug stores, and several years ago served one term as president of the Rexall Association of Pennsylvania. Besides being a good pharmacist and businessman, Mr. Collins was a public- spirited citizen and took an active interest in all movements for the moral, spiritual and pecuniary welfare of the town and community. He was an active member and sometime president of the local chamber of Commerce, and served a number of terms as a member and officer of the Meyersdale Borough school board. His interest in public schools was very keen and he was considered one of the best school directors the borough ever had. Mr. Collins' father, the late Rev. Benjamin B. Collins, was pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for about 25 years and was one of the most highly esteemed clergymen Somerset County has ever produced. Leigh was confirmed in the faith of his parents when a boy, and during his entire adult life, although but a layman, was as zealous a churchman as his saintly father. He was for many years a member of the church board and superintendent of the Sunday School of Zion Church, and an active member of the Luther League. No higher compliment could be paid Leigh R. Collins than to say he was as good a man morally as his father, and this has been said of him in all sincerity, both before and since his death. During his entire lifetime he abstained from the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages and was temperate and moral in all things. He was a member of Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A.M., and of Hebron Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Meyersdale, and of the Masonic Relief Association of Johnstown. He was also a charter member of the Meyersdale Rotary Club, and chairman of the Crippled Children Committee of that organization. He was very much interested in child welfare work, and his last activities before his fatal illness were in connection with the Rotary Club's crippled children work. Mr. Collins' domestic life was most happy and exemplary. He was married 28 years ago to Miss Edna Hough. To them three daughters were born, all now grown up young ladies. He was devoted to his family and was a model husband and father, doing everything in his power for the welfare and happiness of his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, and daughters, Leah, a teacher in the Meyersdale schools; Frances, music supervisor of the public schools of Farrel, Pa., and Dorothy, a clerk in the Collins Drug Store. He is also survived by his aged mother, one sister, Mrs. Clayton Wade, of Fairmont, W.Va., and four brothers, Herbert, of Pittsburgh; George B., of Fairmont, W.Va.; Philson D., of Berlin, and Frederick M. Collins, of Wilkinsburg. One sister, Miss Elizabeth, died in 1911, his father. Rev. B. B. Collins, in 1912, and one brother, Luther, who was a druggist in Connellsville, in 1919. Funeral services were conducted at the family home at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon by his pastor, Rev. C. P. Bastian of Berlin. Meyersdale Lodge of Masons conducted the burial rites of that order at the grave in Union Cemetery. Funeral Director W. C. Price had charge of the burial arrangements. The obsequies were very largely attended and there was a great wealth of floral tributes. Meyersdale Republican, November 12, 1931