Biography - Charles Collinson
CHARLES COLLINSON, farmer, son of Thomas and Hannah, natives of England, was
born at Yorkshire, Eng., May 14, 1826, and spent his early life in the coal
mines of Pennsylvania, where he went with his parents at the age of four years;
came to Knox county in 1852; was married July 17, 1847; is the father of eleven
children; united with the M. E. Church in 1857, has acted as Steward and Sunday
School Superintendent; served three years in the war for the Union as Corporal;
Democrat. P. O., Galva, Ill.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County,
Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.
CHARLES COLLINSON. Among the large landholders and successful and well-to-do
farmers of Knox County, prominently stands the name of him whose short
biographical notice we give, accompanied by his portrait. He is at present
engaged in the prosecution of his life-long vocation on his fine farm of 280
acres on section 31, Lynn Township, and is meeting with far more than ordinary
success as a tiller of the soil. He is the proprietor of Walnut Creek Creamery,
and manufactures a large amount of fine creamery butter. He has been engaged in
the business since 1880. He is the son of Thomas Collinson, whose native home
was beyond the Atlantic, in Yorkshire, England, and who was of pure English
blood. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in the mother country, and
at the age of nine years began to earn his own livelihood. He was married in his
native shire to Hannnah Codlin, who was also a native of Yorkshire, and there
reared to womanhood. While yet a resident of that shire, two children, sons,
were born to them, our subject being the elder, and the date of his birth May
14, 1826.
The father and mother, together with their two sons, emigrated to the United
States, and immediately made settlement in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Pa. After
their arrival in this country, three more children were born; three children are
living. The mother died in Wilkesbarre, Pa., when Charles was but 12 years of
age. The father was again married in Luzerne County, to a lady of French
extraction, Louisa Mathias, who was born and reared to womanhood in France,
coming to the United States and locating in Luzerne County when a young lady.
She yet survives and is living with her younger daughter, Mrs. Thomas McClure,
in Lynn Township. The father of our subject died in Lynn Township, Jan. 28,
1881, at the age of 82. He came to Illinois in 1852, bringing his family with
him, six boys and two girls, Charles being the eldest. He had been a fairly
successful farmer, and at the date of his demise was possessed of a considerable
property. In politics he was a Democrat.
Charles Collinson, after accompanying his parents to this county, continued to
reside with them with them on the parental homestead, assisting by his labors in
the maintenance of the family until 19 years of age. He worked five years in the
coal mines in the Wyoming Valley, Pa., and vicinity.
He was married in Willkesbarre, Pa., July 18, 1847, Miss Catherine A. Spare
becoming his wife. She was born near Philadelphia, Aug. 18, 1824, and is the
daughter of John and Catherine (Cline) Spare, natives of Pennsylvania and of
Holland descent. Her father was a blacksmith, but after his marriage followed
farming for a sustenance until his demise, which took place Jan. 2, 1865, in
Wilkesbarre, Pa. His wife followed him to the land beyond 20 days later.
Mrs. Collinson was the third in order of birth of a family of nine children,
five sons and four daughters, and continued to reside with her parents until her
marriage. Of her union with Mr. Collinson 11 children have been born, one of
whom is deceased. Thomas married Hannah Rawlins, and resides in Iowa, engaged in
farming; John S. has a sketch in this work; Sarah married Ambrose King, a farmer
of Victoria Township; Abraham married Margaret Marshall, and also lives in
Victoria Township; Mary C. is the wife of C. S. King, a farmer of Crawford
County, Kan.; Martha A. married J. C. Gray, a farmer of Lynn Township; C.
Frederick follows the calling of a farmer in Victoria Township, and the maiden
name of his wife was was H. L. McDaniels; Hannah M. became Mrs. D. C. McDowell;
Samuel S. married Ada Strong, who has died since the above was written, and is a
farmer in Victoria Township; Luther M. is a farmer and resides at home. The
deceased is Alice A., who died when about one year and two months old.
Mr. and Mrs. Collinsons are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has
been Township Assessor, and in politics votes with the Democrat party. Mr.
Collinson enlisted in September, 1862, in Company G, 89th Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry; in the fall of 1863 he was transferred to the Veteran
Reserve Corps, and served in the same until the close of the war, when he
received an honorable discharge at Detroit, Mich., July 3, 1865. He was in
numerous skirmishes, and early in the service received a sunstroke, which
prevented him from active duty.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical
Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 807.
