Reputed to have been brilliant in academic work. In 1911-1915, completed an extensive program of correspondence courses in mechanical engineering with International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, PA. All grades were greater than 90% and most greater than 97%.

Became mentally ill in the 1910's and was eventually confined to the New Jersey State Hospital, Trenton, NJ, between 1916 (as evidenced by a letter to him from his great aunt Ann Collins) and 1920 (US census, see below). Illness unknown, perhaps schitzophrenia?? According to correspondence in 1933 and 1934 between the State of N.J. and his father D.C.N. Collins, who could no longer help provide financial support due to loss of all employment and income in January 1933, he was still alive then. Social Security Death Index shows he died in 1966 at age of 73, probably still in State Hospital (see below).

1920 US census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., New Jersey State Hospital, Jan 1920
Harold Collins, age 27, single, b:NJ, fb:NJ, mb:PA

1930 US census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., New Jersey State Hospital, Ward 14
Harold Collins, age 38, single, b:NJ, fb:NJ, mb:PA, no occupation, not a veteran

Incorrect census entry of a different Harold L. Collins:
1930 US census, New Jersey, Burlington Co., Part of Mt. Laurel, 187 Walton Avenue:
Harold L. Collins, head, 38, owns home, owns radio, Farmer, Greenhouse
Elsie D. --, wife, 37
Edith M. --, dau, 10
[maybe more family members on next census page]
[All b/fb/mb:New Jersey]
[incorrect on several accounts: (a) see above 1930 census entry in state hospital; (b) Harold Lippincott Collins had not training or experience as a farmer; (c) according to this entry, this Harold was married in about 1917, but Harold Lippincott Collins is reported single in the household of his father in th 1920 census.]

Social Security Death Index:
Name: Harold L. Collins
SSN: 138-42-9251
Last Residence: 08625 Trenton, Mercer, New Jersey, United States of America
Born: 15 Oct 1892
Died: 15 Apr 1966
State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (1965)