Abraham B Collier

Farmer, 1880, 1900, 1910

Married 31 Jul 1874 in Tipton Co., Indiana to Mary A E Durham
Daughter of John Durham and Delila Wood
Born Dec 1854 in [Jackson Twp.], Shelby Co., Indiana
Died 31 Aug 1939 in [Adams Twp., Hamilton Co.], Indiana

To them were born:

Notes

• Son of Samuel R. and Elizabeth (Bills) Collier, of Indiana and New Jersey.
• Abraham's age in the census records: in 1860, age 5; in 1870, age 15; in 1880, age 25; in 1900, age 45 (b. Aug 1854); in 1910, age 55.
• In 1900 Abraham owned a farm, subject to a mortgage.
• In 1910 Abraham owned a farm, subject to a mortgage.
• Obituary, Noblesville Daily Ledger, 08 Sep 1913, courtesy of Hamilton East Public Library:
  Attempt Was Successful / Abraham Collier Died Sunday of Self-Inflicted Wound / Local Preacher / Left the Ministry Because Board Did Not Give Him a Satisfactory Grade and Brooding Over This May Have Deranged His Mind.
    Abraham Collier died at his home in the vicinity of Boxleytown, Sunday night, from a self-inflicted wound in the head. Soon after the aged man was found in the John Haworth grove Friday afternoon, where he shot himself, Dr. Eastman came from Indianapolis and performed an operation, but at no time was there any hope of his recovery.
    The funeral will occur Tuesday. All of his children arrived Sunday and were at his bedside several hours before he passed away.
    Several years ago the deceased was ordained as a Methodist minister. For several years he preached and came to be noted for his power in the pulpit, doing some evangelistic work that attracted attention and much favorable comment. In addition to being a forceful pulpit speaker he was a singer of much ability, his voice being especially sweet and his revival hymns were much enjoyed and greatly served to give life to the meeting.
    A story comes from Sheridan to the effect that Mr. Collier aspired to higher honors in his church, but that the examining board before which he appeared failed to grade him as he desired. This wounded his feelings and he left the ministry, preaching only on rare occasions.
    He had his heart set on remaining in the ministerial field, but when he failed to attain the standing sought, he became a victim of melancholia and it is believed that this brooding over foiled ambitions unhinged his mind and it was while in one of these mad moments that he attempted to kill himself.
    He had many friends and was regarded as a man of ability and culture.
• Obituary, Noblesville Daily Ledger, 09 Sep 1913, courtesy of Hamilton East Public Library:
  Suicide Was Buried Tuesday / Funeral of Abraham Collier Held at Sheridan.
    Abraham Collier, the suicide, was buried Tuesday, the services being held in the M.E. church at Sheridan at 1 o'clock. Rev. Newcomb was in charge of the funeral and the interment took place in the Sheridan cemetery. The services were largely attended.
    A widow and seven children survive Mr. Collier. The children are Samuel Collier, of Hamilton county; Mrs. Agnes George, of Jolietville; Mrs. Pearl McMurtry, of Lynn, Ind.; George Collier, of Hamilton county; Anderson Collier, living near Sheridan; Isaac Collier, of Ekin; and Ray Collier, at home.
    The deceased is also survived by two brothers and three sisters, they being Isaac and Samuel Collier, of Goldsmith; Mrs. Grant Hash, of Indianapolis; Mrs. James Platt, of Twelve-Mile, Miami county, and Mrs. Keney Jones, of Tipton county. There is also surviving him seven grandchildren.

Sources

• 1870 - U.S. Census, Indiana, Tipton Co., Prairie Twp., Page No. 145 [=145], 1105-1071, 17 Jul 1860
• 1870 - U.S. Census, Indiana, Tipton Co., Prairie Twp., Page No. 5 [=554], 30-31, 22 Aug 1870
• 1880 - U.S. Census, Indiana, Randolph Co., Wayne Twp., E.D. 168, Page No. 10 [=159B], 88-88, 05 Jun 1880
• 1900 - U.S. Census, Indiana, Hamilton Co., Adams Twp., E.D. 77, Sheet No. 2A [=2A], 33-33, 02 Jun 1900
• 1910 - U.S. Census, Indiana, Hamilton Co., Adams Twp., E.D. 90, Sheet No. 9A [=9A], 198-200, 28 Apr 1910