T. A. Collier
Family
Arkansas
and Texas
![]() T. A. Collier in Texas (photo from Edith Petty) |
b. May 30, 1855 Old Cora Comanche Co., Tx d. April 6, 1908 Chattanoga Tenn. 1m.? {no children} 2m. Jan. 1, 1888 Mary
Octavia "Mollie" Terry |
| Children with Mary Octavia "Mollie" Terry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maggie Terry Collier | b.14 Jan 1889 Ballinger, TX | d. 10 Jul 1959 Mist, Ark | m. John Edward McMillan b. 1881 d. 1937 Parkdale, AR (4 children) |
| Thomas Anderson Collier Jr. | b. 31 Aug 1890 Ballinger, TX | d. 5 Sep 1891San Antonio, TX | died as child |
| Willie Octavia (Jane) Collier(f) | b. 25 Aug 1891 San Antonio, Tx | d. 8 Nov 1985 Dallas, TX | never married |
| Walter Smith Collier | b. 9 Aug 1894 Glenoby, Fentras Co., TN | d. 12 Nov 1973 Goldboro, N. C | 1m. Mabel Clara Thomas 3/17/1915
b. 5/30/1889 d. 6/20/1971 (divorced 12/13/1937 Dallas) 2m. Lilly Marguerite Snipes (no children) b.8/21/1906 d. 12/17/1988 |
| James Warren Collier | b. 23 Apr 1896 Jamestown, TN | d. 21 Apr 1970 Dallas, TX | m. in WWI, marriage annulled by parents (gased in WW I) |
| Charles Carroll Collier | b. 25 Dec 1899 Jamestown, TN | d. | m. Maudie Gertrude Elliot 10 Jun 1925 |
| John Graydon Collier | b. 31 Aug 1902 Jamestown, TN | d. 6 Sep 1909 Chattanoga, TN | died as youth |
| David Marion Collier | b. 10 Mar 1904 Jamestown, TN | d. 16 Aug 1906 Columbus, GA | died as youth |
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]
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 tewo daughters, one son, three brothers and two sisters. Funeral was held at Snyder on Sunday morning." [Lee p 226]

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.
sources:




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