Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: COLLINS, ALLISON B. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II

p. 451-542



ALLISON B. COLLINS.

Allison B. Collins, a well known mining engineer of Denver, who 
is general manager of the Mohawk-Wyoming Oil Corporation, a Wyoming 
concern, was born May 9, 1881, at Georgetown, Colorado, a son of E. M. 
Collins, who was a native of New Hampshire and belonged to one of the 
old families of the Granite state, of Irish ancestry. The family was 
founded in America by Benjamin Collins, who came to the new world among 
the first settlers at Jamestown. One of the ancestors in the maternal 
line was Josiah Bartlett, who was a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence and one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. E. M. 
Collins was but a small boy when he accompanied his parents on their 
westward removal after spending the first five years of his life in his 
native state. He afterward returned to the east but later crossed the 
plains alone with an ox team and settled in southern Illinois, where he 
secured his education. In the latter '70s he came to Colorado, 
establishing his home at Georgetown, where he practiced his profession 
of engineering, doing much engineering work throughout the west for the 
United States government. He also engaged in mining at intervals and in 
his chosen life work has met with a fair measure of success but is now 
living retired, making his home at Canon City, Colorado. He was at one 
time superintendent of public instruction at Colorado Springs, 
occupying that position for twelve years, during which he greatly 
promoted the interests of the schools of that place. His political 
allegiance has long been given to the republican party and he has taken 
an active interest in the political questions and Issues of the day and 
in all those measures which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic 
pride. He married Lillian Walling, a native of Wisconsin, whose parents 
were Pennsylvania people and of Dutch descent, the ancestors having 
settled in the Keystone state among its earliest residents. Mrs. 
Collins is still living and by her marriage she became the mother of 
two sons, the younger being Philip M. Collins, a mining man in 
Bluefields, Nicaragua.

Allison B. Collins is indebted to the public and high schools of 
Colorado Springs for the educational opportunities which were accorded 
him. When seventeen years of age he started out to earn his own 
livelihood and served a regular apprenticeship at civil engineering, 
which profession he has since followed. He has been connected with many 
of the large corporations of the state in engineering work, especially 
in irrigation and drainage work, in which he is an acknowledged expert. 
He was with the United States government for three years and at a 
recent period became identified with the Mohawk-Wyoming Oil Corporation 
as general manager. Prior to this he was general manager for the Out 
West Petroleum Company and has been its vice president, which position 
he still retains. He has been a close student of mining projects and 
problems of the west and his constantly broadening knowledge has made 
him very efficient. He is thoroughly informed concerning irrigation 
work and his entrance into oil field development indicates a further 
forward step in his career. Mr. Collins has also taken active interest 
in the establishment of The National Dehydrating Company, at Denver, 
having been one of the organizers, and has served as secretary and 
treasurer since its organization. This enterprise, having as it does, a 
direct bearing upon the question of food conservation, has been 
fostered and encouraged by government recognition, under the 
supervision of the bureau of chemistry, United States department of 
agriculture.

In Denver, on the 22d of May, 1906, Mr. Collins was married to 
Miss Florine H. Hettrick, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Daniel M. Hettrick, representatives of an old Virginia family. 
Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Collins have been born two children: Marion, who was born in 
Denver, October 25, 1908; and Jack, born November 15, 1912.

Mr. Collins was a member of the Colorado National Guard and was 
mustered into active service at the time of the Spanish-American war 
but on account of an injury took no part in hostilities. He was, 
however, made a noncommissioned officer. His political endorsement has 
always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him 
the right of franchise. He belongs to El Paso Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. 
M., of Colorado Springs; also to Colorado Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M.; 
and to Denver Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar. He belongs to the 
Denver Athletic Club and his personal characteristics are such as make 
for popularity in his ever increasing circle of acquaintances. His 
success is due to his own efforts and he has truly earned the proud 
American title of a self-made man. Without college training he started 
out in a profession that demands most efficient and high grade service. 
Steadily he has worked his way upward. He has spent a great deal of 
time in old Mexico and British Columbia in mining work and he also has 
mining interests at Montezuma, Colorado. He has thoroughly qualified 
for the interests which engage his attention and his increasing powers 
have brought to him not only added responsibility but also the 
remuneration attendant thereon and he occupies a most enviable position 
for one of his years.