Photo in about 1905.
Photo with son Harold in 1910's.

A civil engineer and architect especially of industrial buildings. Designed and built cableways on the Panama Canal. Named after his father Daniel, who died of smallpox before he was born. Also named after a Mr. Newman who gave great help to DCN's mother after the father's death.

For professional and personal autobiographies, photos and graphics of some of his buildings, see documents.

1880 Census gives residence in Haddonfield, NJ, in household of grandmother Sarah (Allen) Lippincott, b: 1865 NJ, age 15, no occupation listed occupation (see entry for Sarah Allen).

Lived at 232 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, a grand house built about 1832, from about 1909 until about 1952. Home included carriage house (for two carriages) and a dove cote. Grand entrance with curving staircase to second floor. Back staircase to kitchen. Now a parking lot for a church.

Died Monday on/before 26 Mar 1953. Cremation certificate states date of death as 22 Mar 1953, with cremation on 25 Mar 1953.

A civil engineer and architect with no formal training who built new steel-frame buildings such as warehouses and factories in Newark, NJ and New York City around 1900-1910. About 1908, designed and managed construction of locks on the Panama Canal. Reported to have contracted yellow fever there. A professional autobiography and a record of accomplishments submitted to gain membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers may be found at http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~garyscottcollins/.

At home, an outstanding wood and metal craftsman and painter and photographer at the turn of 1900. Built and raced sailboats and motorboats; won at least one trophy award cup from the Bayonne Yachting Club in early 1900's. In 1920's and 1930's became involved in town government of Cranford, NJ, including as town architect (city planner in modern terms). Helped design raised railway tracks through Cranford. Promoted acquisition of land for parkway along Rahway River through Cranford, without success.

An avid trombonist in bands at the turn of the 1900's. We have an extant advert for the 4th Symphony Concert of the season by the Thiesen Anateur Orchestra, on Tuesday evening, April 7th, 1896 at Eight O'Clock, at Belvedere Hall. (Hall possibly in Bayonne, Jersey City or New York City.) He played the "Duo from Norma", by Bellini, with a clarinetist and piano accompaniment. Admission -- Fifty Cents.

First wife (Laura) died young, leaving him to raise two young children (Harold and Edith). He married again years later after ensuring that the children would love their new mother-to-be (Rosalie).

Remarkably, while his father Daniel died before he was born, his mother Elizabeth lived until 1934, when he was nearly 70--for the last twenty years in his home.

1890 Census substitute (ancestry.com) Camden, NJ Directories, 1887-91
D.C. Newman Collins, architect, Location: Phila, and Main opposite Haddon pike, City: Haddonfield, NJ, 1888 and 1889.
Elizabeth Collins, widow Daniel, Location: Main opposite Haddon pike, Haddonfield, NJ 1888 and 1889.
Thomas J. Collins, (no description), Location: Main opposite Haddon pike, Haddonfield, NJ, 1888 and 1889.
Sarah Lippincott, widow Charles, Location: Main opposite Haddon pike, Haddonfield, NJ, 1888 and 1889.

1900 US census, Third Ward, First District, Bayonne, Hudson Co., NJ (Heritage Quest: Series T623, Roll 921, Page 211): Address 570 Avenue E, Bayonne:
D. C. N. Collins, Head, Married, b May 23 1865, age 35, Widowed, married 9 years, 2 living children, b:NJ, fb:NJ, mb:PA, Civil Engineer, 0 months unemployed, rents house, can read, write and speak English.
[Note: no other members of household listed. Perhaps Edith and Harold were staying at this time with relatives, perhaps with grandmother Elizabeth Lippincott.]

1910 US Census, New Jersey, Union County, Cranford Township, 232 Walnut Avenue (images 25&26):
Newman Collins head 44, b,fb,mb:NJ Construction Engineer, Own Office
Harold L. -- son 17, b:PA fb:NJ mb:PA none
Edith R. -- dau 16, b:NJ fb:NJ mb:PA none
Elizabeth L. -- mother 74
Eunice Mitchell servant 70 b,fb,mb:PA
Franiec Sajitabi (?) servant 19 b,fb,mb:Poland

1920 US Census household, New Jersey, Union Co., Cranford Township, 232 Walnut Avenue:
D.C. Newman Collins head 54, married, b:NJ, owns house mortgaged, Architect, Own Business
Rosalie Collins wife 45, married, b:KY fb:GA mb:KY
John D. -- son 7, single, b:NJ fb:NJ mb:KY
Harold L. -- son 27, single, b:PA fb:NJ mb:KY [mb:KY incorrect; Harold was born by first wife, from PA]
Elizabeth -- mother 84, widowed, b:NJ fb:NJ mb:NJ
[Next door neighbors at 228 Walnut are household of William J. Craft. Later, in the 1940's and 1950's, a grandson owned the house and was in a band with son John Dillard Collins.]

1930 US census household in Cranford: DCN Collins first marriage at age 25. Value of home $7000.

Application form in 1935 for employment in US Department of Interior gives these informations: height 5 feet 10.5 inches, weight 155 lb., resident of NJ for entire life, resident of Union Co. since 1906. Attended grammar school 1876-1884, completing 8th grade. Also attended Franklin Institute, Phiuladelphia, and had private instruction in engineering. Employed as Township Engineer of Cranford, NJ from 1919 to 1933, at monthly salary of $500.

After DCN's mother Elizabeth died, Ruth and Lowell Craft lived in the third-floor apartment for some years before moving to a house next door.

LDS reports birth date.

From records in bible of grandfather John Collins:
"Daniel Newman son of Daniel and Elizabeth Collins was married to Laura Jan 6, 1892."
"D.C.N. Collins son of Daniel and Elizabeth Collins was married (for the second time) to Rosalie Furman Sept. 5, 1911 at Absecon, N.J."

• Married: 6 Jan 1892

1. Harold Lippincott COLLINS b: 15 Oct 1892 in New Jersey
2. Edith Rhoads COLLINS b: 26 Nov 1894 in 15 East 45th St, Bayonne, New Jersey

• Married: 04 Sep 1911 in Cranford, NJ

1. John Dillard COLLINS b: 30 May 1912 in Cranford, New Jersey