David A. Collins

David A. and Teresa Collins

Many citizens of Henry County will recall with affection David A. Collins or "Fonce" as he was better known to his friends. He was active in the Henry County Farm Bureau when it wasorganized, was president of the Hamler State Bank for many years, and was affiliated with the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Modern Woodman of America.

His death occurred on June 29, 1961, at the home of his daughter near Holgate, where he had lived for four years.

He was born in Marion Township Nov. 21, 1872. He was the youngest of eight children born to Michael and Bridget (Shehe) Collins. Both parents were natives of County Limerick, Ireland. Both the Collins and Shehe families were devout Catholics and the Collinses in Henry County have been likewise faithful.

When Michael Collins came to America, the voyage was made by sailing vessel. They were 50 days crossing the ocean and landed first in Canada. From there, Michael Collins came to the United States, and after his marriage to Bridget Shehe came to Crawford County, Ohio, where he worked as a laborer for the Pittsburg railroad during its construction. For some years they lived at Leesville where John and Mary (Collins) Cavanaugh were born.

While the children were still very young, Michael Collins and family set out with one team and all of their possessions to find a new home in Henry County. They selected as their location a tract of land in Section 13 of Marion Township. The Collinses were the first settlers there and on all sides the woods and swamps extended for miles. Michael Collins bought 50 acres as a homestead. The ground was so low and swampy, that it was very difficult to raise crops for several years.

The Collins family lived in their first log cabin for 17 years. In the meantime, the country had become more open and was more habitable and healthy. Michael Collins paid only $2.50 per acre for his first land, but when he purchased another farm, he paid $12.50 per acre.

In 1875, he was able to put up a substantial frame residence, and in that home he died on Sept. 12, 1889, at the age of 64. His widow lived until 1907 and was more than 80 years of age when she died. Both had attended Sacred Heart Church at New Bavaria, some eight miles away. Later, they had assisted in organizing St. Paul's Catholic Church at Hamler.

David Collins loved to tell of the many times the children had walked the eight miles to catechism classes.

Some times they had to take off their shoes as it was so muddy.

Six more children were born to Michael and Bridget after they moved to Henry County: Bridget, the wife of Frank Collins of Tiffin; Margaret, wife of William Long; Stephen; Michael E.; and David, all of Hamler; and Ella, wife of Thomas P. Kelley, Leipsic.

David A. Collins was a farmer and never strayed far from his birthplace. He built a large barn which was used both for stock and grain, and a new house was constructed in 1915. David acquired 320 acres of land, of which 240 acres still remain in the Collins family, although the house was sold in the late 60's and the barn burned a few years later.

Mr. Collins was married to Teresa Deters who was born in Putnam County. Along with her husband, Teresa worked very hard. One summer when the weather was bad, she cooked 18 meals for threshers. Her parents were Frank and Mary (Meyer) Deters, both natives of Ohio but of German parentage. They lived on their farm near Hamler until they retired and moved into the village. Teresa was one of five children.

Elizabeth was the wife of John Bussing of Hamler; Joe Deters of Napoleon was Teresa's twin brother; and George of Hamler was the youngest child. Anna was the wife of Lee Conor. She died at the age of 33 in 1918, during the flu epidemic, leaving five small children.

Teresa died Aug. 21, 1957, at the age of 79, four years before her husband. Five children were born to David and Teresa Collins: Paul, Ned, Maurice, Mildred and Owen.

Paul married Marie Dietrich of New Bavaria. He is retired from the Erie Proving Grounds at Port Clinton, and they live in Fremont. They are the parents of seven children. After being in the service, Dennis, the oldest son, continued for many years to make the Army his career, and now works for the government at the U.S. Embassy in France. He and his wife, Mary, and four children, live in Paris.

Mary Timothy is a Sister of Mercy, a teacher and for several years was principal of St. Catherine's School at Toledo.

Patrick and wife, Janice, and five children, in addition to Timothy and wife, Betsy and three children, all live in Washington D.C.

Justin and wife, Mary, live in Cleveland.

Kathleen, wife of Joseph Durnwald of Fremont, and is the mother of four sons.

Joan is the wife of Pat Florio of Fremont and they have four children.

Ned, the second son of David and Teresa Collins, died at the age of 31 years on April 6, 1931. He was married to Agnes Okuley of Holgate. The daughter, Juanita, is the wife of Patrick Arend and they live in Archbold with five children. Their daughter Janice married James Kleman of Fort Jennings and they are the parents of eight children.

Maurice, the third son, died at 52 in June, 1954. He was married to Loretta Konzen of Napoleon. Their son James and wife, Alice, have three children, and live in Delaware, Ohio.

Their daughter, Jane, and husband, Dr. Larry Font, have one daughter.

Owen, the youngest son, is a retired General Motors employee and lives on his farm near Hamler. He is married to Marie Rothman of New Bavaria and they have one son, Edward, who also lives near Hamler.

Mildred, the daughter of David and Teresa, is the wife of Lester Okuley of Holgate. Their children are Eloise, wife of Norman Krenz of Buffalo, N.Y., and parents of six children: Vivian, wife of Robert Beerbower of Defiance and parents of six children; Winifred, wife of John Mangas of Toledo, having four children (a son, Joseph John died at the age of ten Aug. 26, 1973); and Russell, who married Virginia Johnston of North Creek, and they are the parents of four children, living near New Bavaria. Edward Joseph, oldest son of Lester and Mildred Okuley, died at the age of 13 years on Aug. 16, 1952.

David Collins' descendants also include several great-great grandchildren and a step grandchild, Dale, son of Vincent and Agnes Gerschutz. Dale and his wife are the parents of two children.

Submitted by Mildred Collins Okuley