1842 birth:
From Scotland select births and baptisms on Ancestry.com:
William Alexander Collins, male, birthdate 12 Dec 1842, baptism date: 25 Dec 1842 in Barony, Lanark, Scotland. Father: Cornelius Collins, mother: Margaret Montgomery.
1842 baptism:
From an extract of an entry in an old Parochial Register, Parish of Barony, County of Lanark, Scotland. Information is verbatim as follows:
1842: Cornelius Collins, calico printer, Dalmarnock Road & Margaret Montgomery had a lawful son their child born 12th December 1842 named William Alexander. William Alexander & John Montgomery, witnesses. Bapt. 25th Dec 1842.
1862, Dec 31 marriage (first):
From National Records of Scotland:
Marriages in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow, entry 48 on the page:
On the 31st day of December 1862 at 16 [street name illegible], Glasgow, according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. [signed] William Collins, age 21, engine fitter, bachelor, living at 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow, father: Cornelius Collins, painter, and mother: Margaret Collins, nee Montgomerie, and Mary Dunn, age 20, her [x] mark, steam loom weaver, spinster, living at 23 Hozier Street, Glasgow, father: William Dunn, warehouseman, and mother: Isabella Dunn, nee Landsbrough. [signed] James Allan, minister of Greenhead Church Glazier; also [signed] John Craig, Grinder, witness and Agnes McEwan, witness. Record entered 5 Jan 1863 at Glasgow.
NOTE: I can't explain why William left his wife and son behind to go to America to fight in the Civil War. (I'm working on it.)
1864-1865 first Army enlistment:
From a variety of official military documents including the War Dept Pension Office, Veterans Administration, and New York State Archives:
He was age 21, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his occupation was machinist. Enlistment was for 3 years, but it ended 29 Jun 1865. William served in Company C, 69th New York Volunteer Infantry from 18 Jan, 1864 to 29 Jun 1865, achieving the rank of sergeant. He suffered a shell wound in the right thumb and index finger during the second battle of Deep Bottom, James River, Virginia in August 1864. He was captured by the confederates at Petersburg, Virginia on 27 Oct 1864 and confined at Richmond, Virginia on 31 Oct 1864. He was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina on 4 Nov 1864 where he joined the confederate army. On 6 May 1865, he escaped to Ashville, North Carolina. He mustered out on 29 Jun 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio by order of the War Dept at the rank of private. Remarks on the form:
Missing in action or captured Oct 30, 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Oct to Dec 1864: Taken prisoner Oct 30, 1864 as Corporal.
Feb 1865: Same born as William Collins, prisoner of war.
April 1865: Same as private. No discharge furnished.
Regt retired May 1865.
Gained from missing in action May 17, 1865 as Wm Collins.
Born Glasgow, Scotland. Age 21 years.
Occupation: machinist.
Eyes blue, hair dark, complexion light, height 5 ft 7 in.
1865-1868 second Army enlistment:
From the US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914, page 233, on Ancestry.com:
No 849, Wm A Collins, enlisted 18 July 1865 at Albany, NY, enlistment age: 22, birth: Glasgow, Scotland, occupation: machinist, eyes: blue, hair: lt, complexion: fair, height: 5-6, discharged: July 1868 at Fort Griffin at Sgt.
He also served with Troop I, 6th U.S. Cavalry from 18 Jul 1865 to 18 Jul 1868, attaining the rank of first sergeant.
1869, July marriage (second):
William's Civil War enlistment papers give the location of his first marriage to Jane McCord in Marlin, Falls Co., Texas in July of 1869. See Collins.doc 0004.
I cannot find an online marriage record for William and Jane.
)
From William's daughter, Claudine: William & Jane had 2 daughters. Jane and the daughters all died with diphtheria in Texas. Jane and the children had to be traced and verified as deceased so that William's second wife could collect his Civil War pension.
1871-1875:
Relocated from Jacksboro, TX to Joplin, MO.
1876 marriage, April 18 (third):
From MO marriage records on Ancestry.com:
State of MO, County of Jasper. This is to certify that on the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. William Collins and Miss Gussay [Augusta] Helms were by me united in marriage according to the Laws of God, and the State of MO, at Joplin, Jasper Co, MO. [signed] Thos J Stringfield, Minister of the Gospel.
From the Veteran's Administration records: William married Augusta Helms on 18 Apr 1875 in Joplin, Mo. [This information is in William's own handwriting.]
1880 census:
William and Augusta were probably living in Mexico during the 1880 US Census.
1900 census:
William is listed on page 3B, family 56-57 on line 93 in Long Creek, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 7 Jun 1900. Info as follows:
William Collins, head, white male, birthdate Dec 1842, age 57, married 25 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of emigration to the US: 1863, years in the USA: 37, occupation: lumberman, can read and write and speak English, home ownership is free and a farm.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, birthdate April 1859, age 40, married 25 years, children born: 6, children living: 5, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Kentucky, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Nora B Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Oct 1881, age 18, single, birthplace KS.
Maud J Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Jan 1882, age 17, single, birthplace KS.
William A Collins, son, white male, birthplace Nov 1888, age 11, birthplace AR.
Claudie S Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Sep 1899, age 11/12, birthplace AR.
1910 census:
William is listed on page 2A, family 19-19 on line 15 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 16 Apr 1910. Info as follows:
Wm A Collins, head, white male, age 68, second marriage, married 35 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of immigration: 1861, occupation machinist at electric plant, can read and write.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 51, first marriage, married 35 years, children born: 6, children living: 4, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace KY, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Wm A Collins, Jr, son, white male, age 21, single, birthplace AR, occupation none.
Claudine S Collins, daughter, white female, age 10, birthplace AR.
1920 census:
William is listed on page 7B, family 171-195 on line 57 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 15 Jan 1920. Info as follows:
William A Collins, head, owns, white male, age 77, married, year immigrated, 1860, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, occupation machinist.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 59, married, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Indiana, mother's birthplace Kentucky.
Nettie M Collins, daughter, white female, age 40, married, birthplace Illinois [wrong, it was Kansas].
Claudine Collins, daughter, white female, age 18, single, birthplace AR.
Note: William died on the same day that the census was taken.
1920 death
From a Certified copy of Arkansas death certificate:
Info as follows: William Alexander Collins, a white male was born on 12 Dec 1842 in Scotland. His father was James Collins, birthplace Scotland, and his mother was ___?___ Kellog, birthplace Scotland. His occupation was mechanic. He was married when he died on 15 Jan 1920. Cause of death was listed as paralysis. Burial was in the IOOF [International Order of Odd Fellows] cemetery [in Eureka Springs, Carroll Co., Ark.] on 17 Jan 1920. Place of death was Eureka Springs, Cedar Township, Carroll Co., AR. The number stamped in the upper right corner of the death certificate was 75.
NOTE: **** The names of William's parents on his death certificate are wrong. ****
)
His death certificate gives his death date as 15 Jan 1920. According to William's daughter, Claudine, he died in Eureka Springs from the flu on 16 Jan 1920.
Notes:
From William's daughter, Claudine (my grandmother):
William started school when he was 4 and began trade school when he was 6. He was educated in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. William and his cousin Dan Collins came in through New York and enlisted in the Civil War. They thought it would be a good way to see the country. After the war, William worked as a millwright in a sawmill. He was also in the Texas Rangers and fought in the Kiowa-Comanche Indian War in 1874. William was a learned man. He had books by Augusta Evans, E.P. Rose, and Dickens. He also had some atlases. For Claudine's high school graduation, he bought her a book by Scott, a Scottish poet.
According to handwritten note from my father, Paul V Bowman, after William and Augusta were married, they moved to Mexico where he worked in the silver mines. One child was born and died there, and is buried in Mexico.
William had a machine shop across from the ice plant in Eureka Springs, AR. He would fix machinery from the local sawmills, street cars, ice house, and railroad. He was examining a piece of machinery one day that had been unloaded from a street car when another street car came by, hit him, and broke his leg.
And, just to prevent confusion, this William Collins did not marry Mary Ann Turner on 31 Dec 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland. The William Collins who did was the son of Thomas Collins and Margaret McCordlish.
July 2019: I had his headstone professionally cleaned and restored.
William was my great grandfather. Last updated 22 Jun 2019, JPB.
From Scotland select births and baptisms on Ancestry.com:
William Alexander Collins, male, birthdate 12 Dec 1842, baptism date: 25 Dec 1842 in Barony, Lanark, Scotland. Father: Cornelius Collins, mother: Margaret Montgomery.
1842 baptism:
From an extract of an entry in an old Parochial Register, Parish of Barony, County of Lanark, Scotland. Information is verbatim as follows:
1842: Cornelius Collins, calico printer, Dalmarnock Road & Margaret Montgomery had a lawful son their child born 12th December 1842 named William Alexander. William Alexander & John Montgomery, witnesses. Bapt. 25th Dec 1842.
1862, Dec 31 marriage (first):
From National Records of Scotland:
Marriages in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow, entry 48 on the page:
On the 31st day of December 1862 at 16 [street name illegible], Glasgow, according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. [signed] William Collins, age 21, engine fitter, bachelor, living at 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow, father: Cornelius Collins, painter, and mother: Margaret Collins, nee Montgomerie, and Mary Dunn, age 20, her [x] mark, steam loom weaver, spinster, living at 23 Hozier Street, Glasgow, father: William Dunn, warehouseman, and mother: Isabella Dunn, nee Landsbrough. [signed] James Allan, minister of Greenhead Church Glazier; also [signed] John Craig, Grinder, witness and Agnes McEwan, witness. Record entered 5 Jan 1863 at Glasgow.
NOTE: I can't explain why William left his wife and son behind to go to America to fight in the Civil War. (I'm working on it.)
1864-1865 first Army enlistment:
From a variety of official military documents including the War Dept Pension Office, Veterans Administration, and New York State Archives:
He was age 21, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his occupation was machinist. Enlistment was for 3 years, but it ended 29 Jun 1865. William served in Company C, 69th New York Volunteer Infantry from 18 Jan, 1864 to 29 Jun 1865, achieving the rank of sergeant. He suffered a shell wound in the right thumb and index finger during the second battle of Deep Bottom, James River, Virginia in August 1864. He was captured by the confederates at Petersburg, Virginia on 27 Oct 1864 and confined at Richmond, Virginia on 31 Oct 1864. He was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina on 4 Nov 1864 where he joined the confederate army. On 6 May 1865, he escaped to Ashville, North Carolina. He mustered out on 29 Jun 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio by order of the War Dept at the rank of private. Remarks on the form:
Missing in action or captured Oct 30, 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Oct to Dec 1864: Taken prisoner Oct 30, 1864 as Corporal.
Feb 1865: Same born as William Collins, prisoner of war.
April 1865: Same as private. No discharge furnished.
Regt retired May 1865.
Gained from missing in action May 17, 1865 as Wm Collins.
Born Glasgow, Scotland. Age 21 years.
Occupation: machinist.
Eyes blue, hair dark, complexion light, height 5 ft 7 in.
1865-1868 second Army enlistment:
From the US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914, page 233, on Ancestry.com:
No 849, Wm A Collins, enlisted 18 July 1865 at Albany, NY, enlistment age: 22, birth: Glasgow, Scotland, occupation: machinist, eyes: blue, hair: lt, complexion: fair, height: 5-6, discharged: July 1868 at Fort Griffin at Sgt.
He also served with Troop I, 6th U.S. Cavalry from 18 Jul 1865 to 18 Jul 1868, attaining the rank of first sergeant.
1869, July marriage (second):
William's Civil War enlistment papers give the location of his first marriage to Jane McCord in Marlin, Falls Co., Texas in July of 1869. See Collins.doc 0004.
I cannot find an online marriage record for William and Jane.
)
From William's daughter, Claudine: William & Jane had 2 daughters. Jane and the daughters all died with diphtheria in Texas. Jane and the children had to be traced and verified as deceased so that William's second wife could collect his Civil War pension.
1871-1875:
Relocated from Jacksboro, TX to Joplin, MO.
1876 marriage, April 18 (third):
From MO marriage records on Ancestry.com:
State of MO, County of Jasper. This is to certify that on the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. William Collins and Miss Gussay [Augusta] Helms were by me united in marriage according to the Laws of God, and the State of MO, at Joplin, Jasper Co, MO. [signed] Thos J Stringfield, Minister of the Gospel.
From the Veteran's Administration records: William married Augusta Helms on 18 Apr 1875 in Joplin, Mo. [This information is in William's own handwriting.]
1880 census:
William and Augusta were probably living in Mexico during the 1880 US Census.
1900 census:
William is listed on page 3B, family 56-57 on line 93 in Long Creek, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 7 Jun 1900. Info as follows:
William Collins, head, white male, birthdate Dec 1842, age 57, married 25 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of emigration to the US: 1863, years in the USA: 37, occupation: lumberman, can read and write and speak English, home ownership is free and a farm.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, birthdate April 1859, age 40, married 25 years, children born: 6, children living: 5, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Kentucky, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Nora B Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Oct 1881, age 18, single, birthplace KS.
Maud J Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Jan 1882, age 17, single, birthplace KS.
William A Collins, son, white male, birthplace Nov 1888, age 11, birthplace AR.
Claudie S Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Sep 1899, age 11/12, birthplace AR.
1910 census:
William is listed on page 2A, family 19-19 on line 15 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 16 Apr 1910. Info as follows:
Wm A Collins, head, white male, age 68, second marriage, married 35 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of immigration: 1861, occupation machinist at electric plant, can read and write.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 51, first marriage, married 35 years, children born: 6, children living: 4, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace KY, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Wm A Collins, Jr, son, white male, age 21, single, birthplace AR, occupation none.
Claudine S Collins, daughter, white female, age 10, birthplace AR.
1920 census:
William is listed on page 7B, family 171-195 on line 57 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 15 Jan 1920. Info as follows:
William A Collins, head, owns, white male, age 77, married, year immigrated, 1860, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, occupation machinist.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 59, married, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Indiana, mother's birthplace Kentucky.
Nettie M Collins, daughter, white female, age 40, married, birthplace Illinois [wrong, it was Kansas].
Claudine Collins, daughter, white female, age 18, single, birthplace AR.
Note: William died on the same day that the census was taken.
1920 death
From a Certified copy of Arkansas death certificate:
Info as follows: William Alexander Collins, a white male was born on 12 Dec 1842 in Scotland. His father was James Collins, birthplace Scotland, and his mother was ___?___ Kellog, birthplace Scotland. His occupation was mechanic. He was married when he died on 15 Jan 1920. Cause of death was listed as paralysis. Burial was in the IOOF [International Order of Odd Fellows] cemetery [in Eureka Springs, Carroll Co., Ark.] on 17 Jan 1920. Place of death was Eureka Springs, Cedar Township, Carroll Co., AR. The number stamped in the upper right corner of the death certificate was 75.
NOTE: **** The names of William's parents on his death certificate are wrong. ****
)
His death certificate gives his death date as 15 Jan 1920. According to William's daughter, Claudine, he died in Eureka Springs from the flu on 16 Jan 1920.
Notes:
From William's daughter, Claudine (my grandmother):
William started school when he was 4 and began trade school when he was 6. He was educated in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. William and his cousin Dan Collins came in through New York and enlisted in the Civil War. They thought it would be a good way to see the country. After the war, William worked as a millwright in a sawmill. He was also in the Texas Rangers and fought in the Kiowa-Comanche Indian War in 1874. William was a learned man. He had books by Augusta Evans, E.P. Rose, and Dickens. He also had some atlases. For Claudine's high school graduation, he bought her a book by Scott, a Scottish poet.
According to handwritten note from my father, Paul V Bowman, after William and Augusta were married, they moved to Mexico where he worked in the silver mines. One child was born and died there, and is buried in Mexico.
William had a machine shop across from the ice plant in Eureka Springs, AR. He would fix machinery from the local sawmills, street cars, ice house, and railroad. He was examining a piece of machinery one day that had been unloaded from a street car when another street car came by, hit him, and broke his leg.
And, just to prevent confusion, this William Collins did not marry Mary Ann Turner on 31 Dec 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland. The William Collins who did was the son of Thomas Collins and Margaret McCordlish.
July 2019: I had his headstone professionally cleaned and restored.
William was my great grandfather. Last updated 22 Jun 2019, JPB.
1842 birth:
From Scotland select births and baptisms on Ancestry.com:
William Alexander Collins, male, birthdate 12 Dec 1842, baptism date: 25 Dec 1842 in Barony, Lanark, Scotland. Father: Cornelius Collins, mother: Margaret Montgomery.
1842 baptism:
From an extract of an entry in an old Parochial Register, Parish of Barony, County of Lanark, Scotland. Information is verbatim as follows:
1842: Cornelius Collins, calico printer, Dalmarnock Road & Margaret Montgomery had a lawful son their child born 12th December 1842 named William Alexander. William Alexander & John Montgomery, witnesses. Bapt. 25th Dec 1842.
1862, Dec 31 marriage (first):
From National Records of Scotland:
Marriages in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow, entry 48 on the page:
On the 31st day of December 1862 at 16 [street name illegible], Glasgow, according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. [signed] William Collins, age 21, engine fitter, bachelor, living at 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow, father: Cornelius Collins, painter, and mother: Margaret Collins, nee Montgomerie, and Mary Dunn, age 20, her [x] mark, steam loom weaver, spinster, living at 23 Hozier Street, Glasgow, father: William Dunn, warehouseman, and mother: Isabella Dunn, nee Landsbrough. [signed] James Allan, minister of Greenhead Church Glazier; also [signed] John Craig, Grinder, witness and Agnes McEwan, witness. Record entered 5 Jan 1863 at Glasgow.
NOTE: I can't explain why William left his wife and son behind to go to America to fight in the Civil War. (I'm working on it.)
1864-1865 first Army enlistment:
From a variety of official military documents including the War Dept Pension Office, Veterans Administration, and New York State Archives:
He was age 21, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his occupation was machinist. Enlistment was for 3 years, but it ended 29 Jun 1865. William served in Company C, 69th New York Volunteer Infantry from 18 Jan, 1864 to 29 Jun 1865, achieving the rank of sergeant. He suffered a shell wound in the right thumb and index finger during the second battle of Deep Bottom, James River, Virginia in August 1864. He was captured by the confederates at Petersburg, Virginia on 27 Oct 1864 and confined at Richmond, Virginia on 31 Oct 1864. He was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina on 4 Nov 1864 where he joined the confederate army. On 6 May 1865, he escaped to Ashville, North Carolina. He mustered out on 29 Jun 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio by order of the War Dept at the rank of private. Remarks on the form:
Missing in action or captured Oct 30, 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Oct to Dec 1864: Taken prisoner Oct 30, 1864 as Corporal.
Feb 1865: Same born as William Collins, prisoner of war.
April 1865: Same as private. No discharge furnished.
Regt retired May 1865.
Gained from missing in action May 17, 1865 as Wm Collins.
Born Glasgow, Scotland. Age 21 years.
Occupation: machinist.
Eyes blue, hair dark, complexion light, height 5 ft 7 in.
1865-1868 second Army enlistment:
From the US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914, page 233, on Ancestry.com:
No 849, Wm A Collins, enlisted 18 July 1865 at Albany, NY, enlistment age: 22, birth: Glasgow, Scotland, occupation: machinist, eyes: blue, hair: lt, complexion: fair, height: 5-6, discharged: July 1868 at Fort Griffin at Sgt.
He also served with Troop I, 6th U.S. Cavalry from 18 Jul 1865 to 18 Jul 1868, attaining the rank of first sergeant.
1869, July marriage (second):
William's Civil War enlistment papers give the location of his first marriage to Jane McCord in Marlin, Falls Co., Texas in July of 1869. See Collins.doc 0004.
I cannot find an online marriage record for William and Jane.
)
From William's daughter, Claudine: William & Jane had 2 daughters. Jane and the daughters all died with diphtheria in Texas. Jane and the children had to be traced and verified as deceased so that William's second wife could collect his Civil War pension.
1871-1875:
Relocated from Jacksboro, TX to Joplin, MO.
1876 marriage, April 18 (third):
From MO marriage records on Ancestry.com:
State of MO, County of Jasper. This is to certify that on the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. William Collins and Miss Gussay [Augusta] Helms were by me united in marriage according to the Laws of God, and the State of MO, at Joplin, Jasper Co, MO. [signed] Thos J Stringfield, Minister of the Gospel.
From the Veteran's Administration records: William married Augusta Helms on 18 Apr 1875 in Joplin, Mo. [This information is in William's own handwriting.]
1880 census:
William and Augusta were probably living in Mexico during the 1880 US Census.
1900 census:
William is listed on page 3B, family 56-57 on line 93 in Long Creek, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 7 Jun 1900. Info as follows:
William Collins, head, white male, birthdate Dec 1842, age 57, married 25 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of emigration to the US: 1863, years in the USA: 37, occupation: lumberman, can read and write and speak English, home ownership is free and a farm.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, birthdate April 1859, age 40, married 25 years, children born: 6, children living: 5, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Kentucky, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Nora B Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Oct 1881, age 18, single, birthplace KS.
Maud J Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Jan 1882, age 17, single, birthplace KS.
William A Collins, son, white male, birthplace Nov 1888, age 11, birthplace AR.
Claudie S Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Sep 1899, age 11/12, birthplace AR.
1910 census:
William is listed on page 2A, family 19-19 on line 15 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 16 Apr 1910. Info as follows:
Wm A Collins, head, white male, age 68, second marriage, married 35 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of immigration: 1861, occupation machinist at electric plant, can read and write.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 51, first marriage, married 35 years, children born: 6, children living: 4, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace KY, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Wm A Collins, Jr, son, white male, age 21, single, birthplace AR, occupation none.
Claudine S Collins, daughter, white female, age 10, birthplace AR.
1920 census:
William is listed on page 7B, family 171-195 on line 57 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 15 Jan 1920. Info as follows:
William A Collins, head, owns, white male, age 77, married, year immigrated, 1860, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, occupation machinist.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 59, married, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Indiana, mother's birthplace Kentucky.
Nettie M Collins, daughter, white female, age 40, married, birthplace Illinois [wrong, it was Kansas].
Claudine Collins, daughter, white female, age 18, single, birthplace AR.
Note: William died on the same day that the census was taken.
1920 death
From a Certified copy of Arkansas death certificate:
Info as follows: William Alexander Collins, a white male was born on 12 Dec 1842 in Scotland. His father was James Collins, birthplace Scotland, and his mother was ___?___ Kellog, birthplace Scotland. His occupation was mechanic. He was married when he died on 15 Jan 1920. Cause of death was listed as paralysis. Burial was in the IOOF [International Order of Odd Fellows] cemetery [in Eureka Springs, Carroll Co., Ark.] on 17 Jan 1920. Place of death was Eureka Springs, Cedar Township, Carroll Co., AR. The number stamped in the upper right corner of the death certificate was 75.
NOTE: **** The names of William's parents on his death certificate are wrong. ****
)
His death certificate gives his death date as 15 Jan 1920. According to William's daughter, Claudine, he died in Eureka Springs from the flu on 16 Jan 1920.
Notes:
From William's daughter, Claudine (my grandmother):
William started school when he was 4 and began trade school when he was 6. He was educated in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. William and his cousin Dan Collins came in through New York and enlisted in the Civil War. They thought it would be a good way to see the country. After the war, William worked as a millwright in a sawmill. He was also in the Texas Rangers and fought in the Kiowa-Comanche Indian War in 1874. William was a learned man. He had books by Augusta Evans, E.P. Rose, and Dickens. He also had some atlases. For Claudine's high school graduation, he bought her a book by Scott, a Scottish poet.
According to handwritten note from my father, Paul V Bowman, after William and Augusta were married, they moved to Mexico where he worked in the silver mines. One child was born and died there, and is buried in Mexico.
William had a machine shop across from the ice plant in Eureka Springs, AR. He would fix machinery from the local sawmills, street cars, ice house, and railroad. He was examining a piece of machinery one day that had been unloaded from a street car when another street car came by, hit him, and broke his leg.
And, just to prevent confusion, this William Collins did not marry Mary Ann Turner on 31 Dec 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland. The William Collins who did was the son of Thomas Collins and Margaret McCordlish.
July 2019: I had his headstone professionally cleaned and restored.
William was my great grandfather. Last updated 22 Jun 2019, JPB.
From Scotland select births and baptisms on Ancestry.com:
William Alexander Collins, male, birthdate 12 Dec 1842, baptism date: 25 Dec 1842 in Barony, Lanark, Scotland. Father: Cornelius Collins, mother: Margaret Montgomery.
1842 baptism:
From an extract of an entry in an old Parochial Register, Parish of Barony, County of Lanark, Scotland. Information is verbatim as follows:
1842: Cornelius Collins, calico printer, Dalmarnock Road & Margaret Montgomery had a lawful son their child born 12th December 1842 named William Alexander. William Alexander & John Montgomery, witnesses. Bapt. 25th Dec 1842.
1862, Dec 31 marriage (first):
From National Records of Scotland:
Marriages in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow, entry 48 on the page:
On the 31st day of December 1862 at 16 [street name illegible], Glasgow, according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. [signed] William Collins, age 21, engine fitter, bachelor, living at 82 Oswald Street, Glasgow, father: Cornelius Collins, painter, and mother: Margaret Collins, nee Montgomerie, and Mary Dunn, age 20, her [x] mark, steam loom weaver, spinster, living at 23 Hozier Street, Glasgow, father: William Dunn, warehouseman, and mother: Isabella Dunn, nee Landsbrough. [signed] James Allan, minister of Greenhead Church Glazier; also [signed] John Craig, Grinder, witness and Agnes McEwan, witness. Record entered 5 Jan 1863 at Glasgow.
NOTE: I can't explain why William left his wife and son behind to go to America to fight in the Civil War. (I'm working on it.)
1864-1865 first Army enlistment:
From a variety of official military documents including the War Dept Pension Office, Veterans Administration, and New York State Archives:
He was age 21, born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his occupation was machinist. Enlistment was for 3 years, but it ended 29 Jun 1865. William served in Company C, 69th New York Volunteer Infantry from 18 Jan, 1864 to 29 Jun 1865, achieving the rank of sergeant. He suffered a shell wound in the right thumb and index finger during the second battle of Deep Bottom, James River, Virginia in August 1864. He was captured by the confederates at Petersburg, Virginia on 27 Oct 1864 and confined at Richmond, Virginia on 31 Oct 1864. He was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina on 4 Nov 1864 where he joined the confederate army. On 6 May 1865, he escaped to Ashville, North Carolina. He mustered out on 29 Jun 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio by order of the War Dept at the rank of private. Remarks on the form:
Missing in action or captured Oct 30, 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Oct to Dec 1864: Taken prisoner Oct 30, 1864 as Corporal.
Feb 1865: Same born as William Collins, prisoner of war.
April 1865: Same as private. No discharge furnished.
Regt retired May 1865.
Gained from missing in action May 17, 1865 as Wm Collins.
Born Glasgow, Scotland. Age 21 years.
Occupation: machinist.
Eyes blue, hair dark, complexion light, height 5 ft 7 in.
1865-1868 second Army enlistment:
From the US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914, page 233, on Ancestry.com:
No 849, Wm A Collins, enlisted 18 July 1865 at Albany, NY, enlistment age: 22, birth: Glasgow, Scotland, occupation: machinist, eyes: blue, hair: lt, complexion: fair, height: 5-6, discharged: July 1868 at Fort Griffin at Sgt.
He also served with Troop I, 6th U.S. Cavalry from 18 Jul 1865 to 18 Jul 1868, attaining the rank of first sergeant.
1869, July marriage (second):
William's Civil War enlistment papers give the location of his first marriage to Jane McCord in Marlin, Falls Co., Texas in July of 1869. See Collins.doc 0004.
I cannot find an online marriage record for William and Jane.
)
From William's daughter, Claudine: William & Jane had 2 daughters. Jane and the daughters all died with diphtheria in Texas. Jane and the children had to be traced and verified as deceased so that William's second wife could collect his Civil War pension.
1871-1875:
Relocated from Jacksboro, TX to Joplin, MO.
1876 marriage, April 18 (third):
From MO marriage records on Ancestry.com:
State of MO, County of Jasper. This is to certify that on the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. William Collins and Miss Gussay [Augusta] Helms were by me united in marriage according to the Laws of God, and the State of MO, at Joplin, Jasper Co, MO. [signed] Thos J Stringfield, Minister of the Gospel.
From the Veteran's Administration records: William married Augusta Helms on 18 Apr 1875 in Joplin, Mo. [This information is in William's own handwriting.]
1880 census:
William and Augusta were probably living in Mexico during the 1880 US Census.
1900 census:
William is listed on page 3B, family 56-57 on line 93 in Long Creek, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 7 Jun 1900. Info as follows:
William Collins, head, white male, birthdate Dec 1842, age 57, married 25 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of emigration to the US: 1863, years in the USA: 37, occupation: lumberman, can read and write and speak English, home ownership is free and a farm.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, birthdate April 1859, age 40, married 25 years, children born: 6, children living: 5, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Kentucky, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Nora B Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Oct 1881, age 18, single, birthplace KS.
Maud J Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Jan 1882, age 17, single, birthplace KS.
William A Collins, son, white male, birthplace Nov 1888, age 11, birthplace AR.
Claudie S Collins, daughter, white female, birthplace Sep 1899, age 11/12, birthplace AR.
1910 census:
William is listed on page 2A, family 19-19 on line 15 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 16 Apr 1910. Info as follows:
Wm A Collins, head, white male, age 68, second marriage, married 35 years, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, year of immigration: 1861, occupation machinist at electric plant, can read and write.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 51, first marriage, married 35 years, children born: 6, children living: 4, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace KY, mother's birthplace Indiana.
Wm A Collins, Jr, son, white male, age 21, single, birthplace AR, occupation none.
Claudine S Collins, daughter, white female, age 10, birthplace AR.
1920 census:
William is listed on page 7B, family 171-195 on line 57 in Cedar Twp, Carroll Co, AR, enumerated on 15 Jan 1920. Info as follows:
William A Collins, head, owns, white male, age 77, married, year immigrated, 1860, birthplace Scotland, father's birthplace Scotland, mother's birthplace Scotland, occupation machinist.
Augusta Collins, wife, white female, age 59, married, birthplace Indiana, father's birthplace Indiana, mother's birthplace Kentucky.
Nettie M Collins, daughter, white female, age 40, married, birthplace Illinois [wrong, it was Kansas].
Claudine Collins, daughter, white female, age 18, single, birthplace AR.
Note: William died on the same day that the census was taken.
1920 death
From a Certified copy of Arkansas death certificate:
Info as follows: William Alexander Collins, a white male was born on 12 Dec 1842 in Scotland. His father was James Collins, birthplace Scotland, and his mother was ___?___ Kellog, birthplace Scotland. His occupation was mechanic. He was married when he died on 15 Jan 1920. Cause of death was listed as paralysis. Burial was in the IOOF [International Order of Odd Fellows] cemetery [in Eureka Springs, Carroll Co., Ark.] on 17 Jan 1920. Place of death was Eureka Springs, Cedar Township, Carroll Co., AR. The number stamped in the upper right corner of the death certificate was 75.
NOTE: **** The names of William's parents on his death certificate are wrong. ****
)
His death certificate gives his death date as 15 Jan 1920. According to William's daughter, Claudine, he died in Eureka Springs from the flu on 16 Jan 1920.
Notes:
From William's daughter, Claudine (my grandmother):
William started school when he was 4 and began trade school when he was 6. He was educated in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. William and his cousin Dan Collins came in through New York and enlisted in the Civil War. They thought it would be a good way to see the country. After the war, William worked as a millwright in a sawmill. He was also in the Texas Rangers and fought in the Kiowa-Comanche Indian War in 1874. William was a learned man. He had books by Augusta Evans, E.P. Rose, and Dickens. He also had some atlases. For Claudine's high school graduation, he bought her a book by Scott, a Scottish poet.
According to handwritten note from my father, Paul V Bowman, after William and Augusta were married, they moved to Mexico where he worked in the silver mines. One child was born and died there, and is buried in Mexico.
William had a machine shop across from the ice plant in Eureka Springs, AR. He would fix machinery from the local sawmills, street cars, ice house, and railroad. He was examining a piece of machinery one day that had been unloaded from a street car when another street car came by, hit him, and broke his leg.
And, just to prevent confusion, this William Collins did not marry Mary Ann Turner on 31 Dec 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland. The William Collins who did was the son of Thomas Collins and Margaret McCordlish.
July 2019: I had his headstone professionally cleaned and restored.
William was my great grandfather. Last updated 22 Jun 2019, JPB.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
