October 9, 1925, Maude Collins was appointed as Vinton County’s sheriff—the first woman in Ohio to ever hold the office. Her appointment followed the murder of her husband, Fletcher Collins, after he was killed in the line of duty. She served out the rest of his term, and then won re-election. Throughout her service, she proved herself competent and worthy of the office, while also juggling being a single mother of five children. Her bravery and intelligence was put on display when she became the first woman to ever deliver prisoners to the Ohio State Penitentiary. And no stranger to detective work, she would also go on to solve a double-homicide case within the county - something that would earn her national recognition. After serving her terms, Maude would go on to serve as a clerk of courts, and later work as a matron at the Columbus State School.

 

Living a life full of tragedy and accomplishment, Maude Collins died in 1972 at the age of 78. Her legacy is monumental, paving the way for other women not only in the police force, but in male-dominated careers. Even still, despite all of the groundbreaking things she did, one word is inscribed in her gravestone—one title that seemed to trump all others she held: “Mother.”

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The Vinton County Department of Tourism is proud to have partnered with professional mural artist Pamela Kellough to bring the inspiring stories of Maude Collins and her husband, Fletcher Collins, to life through a mural in downtown McArthur. The mural can be found on the west side of the Vinton County Courthouse (100 E Main St. McArthur, OH 45651).