Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Collins, S ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com December 3, 2007, 12:58 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1885 S. Collins, successor to A. Critchfield & Co., wholesale and retail dealer in marble and granite monuments, cemetery enclosures, etc., at Fulton. This business was established in June, 1882, by A. Critchfield & Co., who conducted it till March, 1884, when Mr. Collins bought them out, Mr. A. Critchfield being retained as foreman and general manager of the mechanical and designing department. Mr. Collins employs from six to ten men, and turns out from eighteen to twenty thousand dollars' worth of work annually. The bulk of his custom comes from Whiteside and neighboring counties, although sales extend into Iowa and neighboring States. He uses in his work only the best grades of Italian and American marble, and of Scotch and American granite. He has facilities for turning out work on short notice, of beautiful designs and of the finest workmanship. The subject of this sketch was born in Cumberland Co., N. J., near the historic ground known as "Vineland," on the 19th of September, 1824, and is the son of John and Mary (Pettet) Collins. In 1838 he removed with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He was married at Dayton, June 24,1847, to Miss Mary J. Irvin, daughter of William and Martha (Brooks) Irvin. Mrs. Collins was born in Montgomery Co.,Ohio. In 1855 he came West and settled on a farm in Muscatine Co., Iowa. He was elected and served 14 years as Township Assessor, several years as Town Clerk, and held other minor offices. He continued farming in Muscatine County till March, 1882, when, having sold out, he removed to Fulton and engaged in the marble business. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have had eight children, two sons and six daughters. Anna B. is the wife of T. S. Meeker, of Muscatine, Iowa. Mary E. is the wife of Asa Critchfield, of Fulton, Ill. Laura died aged 21 years. Martha L. is the wife of Morris N. Rippey, of Muscatine, Iowa. Ida C, William I., Harry E. and Eva A. are unmarried. William is engaged with his father in the marble works. Harry is at Darlington, Wis , employed as merchant clerk. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. C. is Prohibitionist in politics, but was a Republican till 1884. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full- page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/whiteside/bios/collins1872nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.0 Kb