Charles L. Collingwood was born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1875, and is the son of Joseph and Mary J. (Grove) Collingwood, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Charles Collingwood, the father of Joseph, was born in England and came to America in 1801. Lydia (Moss) Collingwood, the mother, was born in the state of New York, she being a descendant of the Moss family that came over in the "Mayflower." After the marriage of Charles Collingwood and Lydia Moss, they came to Decatur county, where they lived and died. Mr. Collingwood was by trade a tailor; in England he made hoop skirts and dress stays. He was well educated and a well-read man and was school examiner when living in Pennsylvania. It is supposed that Admiral Collingwood, of England, who took part in the battle of Trafalgar, was a member of the family. Charles and Lydia Collingwood were the parents of nineteen children, fourteen boys and five girls.

Joseph Collingwood was educated in the primitive schools of Pennsylvania. In early life he learned the trade of a boat builder and assisted in the construction of boats on the Alleghany river. He later came to Indiana and engaged in farming, in addition to his other duties as manager of a saw-mill, threshing machine and tile factory. He removed from Decatur county to Rush county and in 1882 located in Hancock county, on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where the son, Charles L., now resides. He died here in 1913 and the widow still makes this her home. The family were members of the United Brethren church.

To Joseph Collingwood and wife were born the following children: Ezra B., Charles La Rue, Lydia Mary, Daniel M., Charles L., Elmer E., Lillie M. and Goldie Ethel.

Charles L. Collingwood received his education in the schools of his township and in the Danville Normal. He is also a graduate of the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1912. Mr. Collingwood began teaching at the age of eighteen and continued to teach during a part of the year until he finished the work at the State Normal. For the past two years he has been at the head of the schools of Amboy, Benton county, and is superintendent of schools of the township. He is interested in the Collingwood Brothers' elevators.

In 1896 Mr. Collingwood was married to Nellie M. Thomas, of Greenfield, the daughter of J. B. Thomas and wife. Mrs. Collingwood died in 1911.

Mr. Collingwood is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is active in all educational matters and takes much interest in all enterprises that tend toward the advancement of the community.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1009-1010.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 25, 2001.

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