Chapter XXIII: The Character of Mr. Collins

The funeral services of Mr. Collins were held at Ashtabula on Wednesday, Jan. 21st. The occasion was one of great interest. The Cleveland “Herald” of the following day, says:

“It was the last tribute of respect that could be paid by the
citizens of the place to a man who, while not a permanent resident,
was one among the most respected and loved. He held a prominent
place in the hearts of the people as an exemplary man and faithful
friend, and their attendance upon the services yesterday was the
last act of respect to his mortal remains. Besides the citizens of
Ashtabula present, there were many of the leading railroad men of
this city, who had known and respected Mr. Collins during the many
years they had been his friends and business associates.

“Rev. Mr. McGiffert made a few remarks upon the life and character
of the deceased. He said that the assembly of people had been
called together to pay the last tribute to a man known for
honesty, uprightness and truthfulness in all things. He was known
in all his dealings for that strict probity of character, that
conscientiousness which go so far toward making up the perfect man.
He had also the gentle qualities of love and affection for those
near and dear to him. The last time he parted from his wife, a few
days before his death, not knowing, however, that they were never
to meet again, he said to her that he wanted her to remember during
their separation, how well he loved her. He was thoughtful always
for the welfare of his business associates, and to the young men
under him he was a father, a kind friend and firm supporter. In the
midst of his many business and worldly cares he did not lose sight
of his church relations, and the fruits of his life in this regard
are left to testify for him. The spiritual benefit of his employees
was not lost sight of while other cares were pressing upon him.
After land at Collinwood had been set apart for the erection of
a chapel for railroad men, he subscribed first $150, then $350,
and when there seemed to be some trouble in raising the necessary
amount, he said that the chapel should be built in the spring, any
way.

“At the request of the family, Mr. J. H. Devereux, representing the
railroad acquaintances of Mr. Collins, then made a few remarks. He
said that ever since the accident at the bridge, there had been
passing through his mind the idea of falling waters, and the song
of Moses and the lamb came to him most vividly. In some manner the
character of Moses and that of the dead engineer had assimilated
themselves together in his mind. Moses was the type of a perfect
engineer. He ran the line of the Israelites through the wilderness
to a land of security. He had those characteristics of a noble,
true man, which made him great, and in just these particulars did
Mr. Collins excel, and they made him the leading engineer of this
broad land. The speaker referred to the veneration of the deceased,
and referred to the fact that he always rested on the Sabbath day,
and that his office was always closed on that day, and that he
often went to the house of God. Mr. Devereux attempted to say a few
words to the friends, but found himself too much moved to speak
further, and closed with a few words of prayer.”

Mr. Collins was a man who was held in high esteem by all who knew him. At the memorial services which were held in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Hayden, his pastor, said of him:

“Mr. Collins had a praying mother, and when one owes so much to
a praying mother as I do, he will not fail to make important
mention of this fact. In 1849 he came to Ohio and began the work
of laying out the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis
railroad. Here, amidst the hardships of pioneer life, there were
many temptations to desecrate the Sabbath, yet during all this time
the young man remembered the influence of the good mother, and
manifested a high moral sentiment throughout. His life work on the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad was begun in 1851, and
from that time till the moment of his sudden death, his constant
attention was given to this great thoroughfare, and his death
itself was a sacrifice to it. The busy engineer always had time to
look after the betterment of his employees, and there is to-day
many a family living upon its own lot, through his beneficence.”