T. A. Collier in Texas (photo from Edith Petty)

Thomas Anderson Collier b. May 30, 1855 Old Cora, Comanche Co., Texas d. April 6, 1908 Chattanooga, Tenn. 1m.? {no children} 2m. Jan. 1, 1888 Mary Octavia "Mollie" Terry b. Nov 7, 1866 Laurens Co., SC d. midnight Mar 13, 1912 Mist, Ashley Co., Ark her father - William Smith Terry b. 1830 Laurens Co. S. C (see note 1912) her mother-Mary Octavia Jones b. 1843 Laurens Co. S. C

Thomas Collier was said to be the first white child born in Commache County, Texas. His father Francis Marion Collier became an early member and later commander of a company of Texas Rangers.

"They met when Maggie Terry was visiting an aunt who lived near the McMillan family at Mist, Arkansas. Thomas Anderson Collier was born May 30, 1855, being the first white child born in Comanche County, Texas." [DeArmound-Huskey. p 355]

1900 -  US Census. Fentress Co., Tennessee.  Dist. 14, page 28.

1910-   US Census. Tennessee, Hamilton Co., Civil Dist. 6, enum. dist. 93, page 13a It appears that Thomas has died and Mary is a widow with several children at home.

1912- "Mrs. Mollie Collier died at her home on Pine Prairie about 12 o'clock last Friday night, March 13th, 1912. She was the eldest daughter of the late W. S. Terry, and was reared in this community. She is survived by her two daughters, one son, three brothers and two sisters. Funeral was held at Snyder on Sunday morning." [Lee p 226]

Mary "Mollie" Octavia Terry,
wife of Thomas Anderson Collier

The Terry, Collier and Kirkland families developed a close relationship after Thomas Anderson Collier marries a daughter of William Smith Terry. William Warren Kirkland also married a daughter of William Smith Terry. There mutual children were raised and went to school together in Arkansas. The families follow one another from Arkansas to Texas. Both Forrest Kirkland and Walter Collier, as cousins go to art school together and move to Dallas about the same time. Their children in turn become very close cousins.

Walter Smith Collier had studied art with Forrest Kirkland and moved to Dallas, TX. by 1920. His son Carroll eventually starts to work as a commercial artist with Forrest Kirkland.

1920- Walter S. Collier, (27) is in Dallas with his wife, Mabel,(30) and their daughter, Melba (3.5 yrs). He lists his occupation as bookkeeper for Western Union.
Carroll Collier, Walter's still to be born son, eventually goes to work with Forrest as an artist. Later he becomes very well known as a freelance illustrator in Dallas. [US census]

Carroll becomes a reknowned artist in Texas and does many workshops in watercolor and illustration techniques. Carroll's sons John and Grant Collier eventually grow to become artists in their own right and are presently exhibiting nationally their paintings and sculptures.

Elsie Kirkland and Willie Octavia "Jane" Collier about 1924
[photo from collection of Elroy Christenson]

sources:

DeArmond-Huskey, Rebecca. Beyond Batholomew, The Portland Area History,1996, DeArmond- Huskey & Friends of Portland History. 1054 Osment Bluff;Wilmar, AR 71675. email - rdea@seark.net
Lee, Alice Kennedy. Excerpts from the Ashley County Eagle, Arkansas 1889-1914, 2000 Alice Kennedy Lee, P. O. Box 636, Cave City, KY 42127, email - danlee@scrtc.com
Petty, Edith (Collier). Records and photos of the Collier family. email - edithpetty@mindspring.com
US Census records.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Kirkland Family Index || Elroy's Family Index || Ancestor Chart #10 || Kirklands of Henry Co., AL

All information and photos included within these pages was developed by the help of hundreds of researchers. The information here is for the express purpose of personal genealogical research and is freely offered as long as this site is listed as a source. It may not be included or used for any commercial purpose or included in any commercial site without the express permission of Elroy Christenson. Copyright Elroy Christenson 1998-2010.