Person:William Collins (97)

Information on William Collins

From "Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society", Volume Twelve Nos. 1-4, April 1919-January 1920, Vol. 12, April 1919:

Wm. H. Collins was born March 20, 1831, at Collinsville, 111., and was graduated from Illinois College in the class of 1850. He then studied two years in Yale Theological school, and was a Congregational minister in LaSalle, 111., for six years. In 1858, he came to Jacksonville and became editor of the Morgan Journal, the name of which he changed to Jacksonville Journal, its title since then. He entered the Union army as Chaplain of the 10th Illinois Regiment in August, 1861, resigning later, and becoming a captain in the 104th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He then served on the staff of Major-General John M. Palmer, until December, 1864, when he was appointed provost marshal of the 12th District, at Quincy, and closed that up in December, 1865.

Captain Collins then went into the manufacture of plows at Quincy, in which he was very successful, and was interested in a bank, in which he was a director. During part of this time he also preached occasionally. He then became engaged, more or less in politics. He was always a Republican, but was elected an alderman in a Democratic ward, and, to fill a vacancy, was chosen mayor of Quincy, by a Democratic council. In 1884-88, he was a member of the legislature, where his fine literary ability gave him deserved prominence. He belonged among the orators, and was also a poet of much attractiveness. He was often called upon to speak at Illinois College, of which he was a Trustee for years preceding his death. He also contributed to newspapers and magazines.

Lack of space prevents a full and proper reference to Mr. Collins and his varied and great activities; all carried on beneath a very quiet and unostentatious manner. William H. Collins died at Quincy, July 29, 1910. He was twice married; first to Miss Eliza Barnes Gridley, by whom he had five children, of whom Eliza (Lily) Gridley, wife of Thos. L. Morris, of Quincy ; and Adeline Catherine survive him. Mr. Collins' second wife was Miss Emily Holmes Cotton, by whom he had two children, Helen Elvira, married to George T. Marston, and Edith Emily. Mr. Collins had one son, by his first wife, Henry Wing, who grew up. He attended Illinois College and married Nelly Belle Savage. After her death, he married Miss Nellie McLane. He resides in Spokane, Washington.

William H. Collins' second wife was Miss Emily Holmes Cotton, and she was of one of the oldest and most prominent of New England families. Her father Porter Cotton, came to Griggsville, 111., where she was born, in 1834. That family has been an active and valuable one in Illinois.

1880 Census

Household Record 1880 United States Census

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Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

William H. COLLINS Self M Male W 49 IL Plow Mfr. PA PA

Emely H. COLLINS Wife M Female W 35 IL Keeping Hse VT VT

Lillie G. COLLINS Dau S Female W 21 IL At Home IL IL

Henry W. COLLINS Son S Male W 18 IL At Home IL IL

Ada Kate COLLINS Dau S Female W 14 IL At Home IL IL

Helen E. COLLINS SDau S Female W 3 IL IL IL

Lizzie ZIMMERMAN Other S Female W 20 GERM Servant GERM GERM  :

Source Information:

Census Place Quincy, Adams, Illinois

Family History Library Film 1254175

NA Film Number T9-0175

Page Number 546C