Norwich bulletin., 1911-07-03
FUNERALS.
James p. Collins.

The funeral of James P. Collins, who
died Thursday in his 91st year, was
held Friday evening at s o'clock from
the home of his son. William w Col
Rev. F. V. Atkinson of the Second
Baptist church officiated and there
was number of relatives and friends
present. During the services Miss
Bond sang two selections, Jesus. Lover
of My Soul. and Asleep in Jesus. The
remains were sent on the 11.30 O'Clock
train to Norwich, from Bridgeport Sat
urday, arriving at 2.15 p. M, Church
& Allen taking charge.
AT o'clock services were held in the
Central Baptist church, Rev. P. c.
Wright officiating. in the presence of
relatives and friends. There. were
handsome floral tributes. George A.
Turner sang Abide With Me and Cross
ing the Bar. Burial was in Yantic
cemetery, where Rev. Mr.. Wright con-
Quoted the committal service.
Regarding Mr.. Collins. w. writes The
Bulletin as follows:
BY the recent death, in Bridgeport,
of Mr.. J. P Collins, there passed awav
a, distinct individuality, one of rap
idly disappearing type of citizen. Com
ing to this country a very young man,
before the day of steamships, bringing
only a fine physique,an inventive mind,
a purposefull ambition and an indom-
liable courage; he began one of those
careers which made many of our ear
lier immigrants such valuable acquiSi
lions in developing the best life of the
nation. Deprived of all but the most
elemental education in the land of his
birth, he early commenced the strug-
gle against that handicap on the new
soil.
By carefully selected and extensive
reading, accompanied by a deep inter
est in religious, educational and phil
anthrOpic movements. together with
the companionship of cultivated people
he made quick progress in broadening
his mind, until within a. few years he
easily impressed many who met him as
d well educated man.
He became indeed remarkably fami1-
liar with much of the best literature,
especially in pietry. for which he had
a great liking. Burns, Scott The
Ettrick Shepherd, and others, We're ex-
tensfvely memoriZed, while the simple
charm and spiritual power of the Quak-
er poet kindled his heart.
Until within a few months of his
death he frequently repeated stanzas
recalled from youthful days, while al
most to the very end he spent every
day reading his favorite authors.
Added to these accomplishments were
mental qualities of a rare order, joined
to strong convictions, high ideals and
character, answering devotion to what
he considered right, a buoyant optim-
ism and an undaunted spirit.
As an immigrant he loved the land
of his adoption with the warmth of its
most loyal sons, and no citizenship
could better express attachment and
fealty to its aims and flag.
FIRE soiler" at heart. his maiden
vote was cast for John C. and Jesse,
too record consistently continued
in the person of Lincoln and every sue
ceeding republican nominee, including
President Taft. In the dark days of
'61-'65 he was an active and prominent
member of the Union League, and
While acting under it as a special dep
uty in. Troy, n. Y. at the second cleo
ton of Lincoln nearly lost his life from
the bludgeon of repeater 1t was
in that city that his marked mechan-
lcal ability triumphed through the re-
moval of inherent defects of the Jon
val turbine, and its consequent wide
use; building up business in water
wheels and transmission machinery
which was no confined to the United
tates.-
In 1868 he came to Norwich and unit
ed with the Union Machine company,
two years later associating with J. M.
Huntington & Co. at Thamesville,
where the concern employed hundreds
of men.
The reputation of the work there
done secured contracts from the best
known mills of New England and many
other states, among whose managers
and owners Mr.. Collins was held in
high esteem, both for skill as a me-
chanic and integrity as a man.
To him this was matter of honest
pride, keenly appreciated and quickly
responded to by redoubled efforts to
deserve such confidence. In notable
instances contracts involving large
amounts were entered into and carried
out, resting only on each party's word.