The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-01
M1onIGAN's CLERICAL GAME WARDEN
Lives with His Dogs, Fishes, Hunts and Sub
sistb Upon the Results.

From NE Chicago Inter Ocean.
BATTLE CREEK. Mich, Dec. 24.-Calhour
county. Michigan. boasts of the only clergyman
game warden in America. the Rev. Isaac Col
lier. who is known throughout the State as
the Henry d. Thoreau OF Michigan. as he has
for many years lived alone with his dogs in 6
cottage on the shore of Goguac Lake. summer
winter and every season. spending his time in
fishing and hunting and in the study OF books
and nature.
A passionate regard for nature has led this
unique clergyman to live among the flowers
and trees. the birds and animals of the woods,
Years of botanical training make it possible
for him to understand the flowers which he
plucks by the roadside or in the fields or for
ests. Never does a day pass that the venerable
character. with his fishpole. may not be seen
vending his way to the waters edge for his
customary fish. His expert knowledge OF
angling makes him known among the fisher
men as Our Izaak Walton" and he lives out
his title. Not only does he fish. but he studies
his, prey. He knows the fish and their habits,
and is at home among them.
A strange place is his cottage. unlathed. I'M
plastered, but the home Of q contented man.
He s~ubsists entirely upon the, results Of his
hunting and fishing: He not only sells his fish
I rsqu tire if but f Re Is fond f1 % t dSSnnli Ss which resuI hs
diet. He is his own cook. His tea he makes
from the wild plant blossom known as the Jer-
sey tea, and the only coffee which he uses is
made from the hickory nuts which he gathers.
t A6o y al; he 81 Is hale ! : hearty e9 n, and Piqo healthy: al
But he says, live close to nature. and SO l do
live. not exist"
Greek. Latin. Hebrew. Chaldaic, Syriac,
French and. modern languages are read by
the quaint character. and no matter how busy
a day he has spent among his fish friends he
closes 1t by reading a chapter in his Greek Tes-
lament: Apart from the world. he never neg
lects his religion, and studies religious ques-
lions of modern and ancient character.
The Rev, Isaac Collier was born in Greene
county. n; Y. and in his mere childhood he as
tonished his parents by declaring his intention
to enter the ministry. He took a course OF
study in the Coxsaekie IN. ~. Academy.
Brunswick. y. j.. He received his DIV
ploma from Rutgers, College. following this
BY a three years theological course. His
first call was to Coeynans. on the Hudson
River. whore he preached for Ave years. In
1876 he entered upon his duties as pastor Of the
Dutch Reformed Church of Battle Creek. leav-
ing in 1871 for Riohboro. Pa. on a like call,
where he remained fourteen years. returning
to preach as q. ConRregationalist in the Angus
TIA church, After his return to Battle Greek he
took up his Thoreau-like life, and has contin-
ued ever since In this plan of living.
He has Just been appointed Game Warden for
Calhoun county by State Warden Chase Os-
borne, and announcer emphatically that he
will use the same vigOr In the fulnllment Of the
law as In the expounding Of the Scriptures and
the travelling of the woods for nature study.
No one can fail to understand why he Is called
the Henry ID. Thoroau of Michigan.