Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Collins, Hon Michael 1845 - 
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Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890

HON. MICHAEL COLLINS. Day by day each human being is building a monument more 
enduring than Time itself—one which for grandeur and sublimity depends 
entirely upon the subject and is in no wise affected by what they say or do. 
This is the monument of a life, and the pleasing task of the biographical 
writer is to set this upon the printed page. When the mind and heart of men 
are attuned to noble deeds and upward growth, it needs not that we add to the 
simple record what would but "gild refined gold " but to call attention only 
to what has been done in business, office or society, and the traits that a 
personal acquaintance will reveal. The Irish race is honored in the person of 
the gentleman named above, who is now engaged in business in Peotone, owning a 
large grain elevator there, and also holds membership on the Chicago Board of 
Trade. He is a self-made man, as will be seen, and the reason therefor 
understood by following the facts of the parental history. His parents, John 
and Bridget (Mulvihill) Collins, were born in County Clare, Ireland, the one 
in 1815 and the other in 1817, the father being a gardener in his own land. 
They were married in 1843, and became the parents of five children— Michael; 
John, deceased; Martin, who is in the hardware business in Peotone; Thomas, 
Illinois Central Agent at Grand Crossing; and Mary, wife of William T. 
Shaffer, a farmer in Wayne County. When the Emerald Isle was sorely afflicted 
by famine in 1848, Mr. Collins came to America and obtaining work on the 
Vermont Central Railroad earned money to send his suffering family and finally 
to bring the mother and two sons—the family then—across the briny deep. A 
temporary home was made in the Green Mountain State, whence they removed to 
Canada. There the father worked-on the Great Western Railroad for six years or 
until its completion, then locating in Fayette County, Ill., where he still 
resides. He helped to build the Illinois Central Railroad, continuing his 
arduous labors until about a dozen years ago. He is still active, bearing his 
years well, but his wife is not in robust health. They were not able to bestow 
upon their children all the advantages that would be possible if they were 
young now, but gave them good advice and what education they could. Michael 
Collins was born in County Clare, near the historic ground of the Shannon 
River, October 15, 1845, and was about five years old when brought to America. 
The schooling he received was barely sufficient to give him an understanding 
of the rudiments of education, but since attaining manhood he has diligently 
applied himself to study and made wonderful progress. He has carried on a 
systematic course of general reading, including law, politics and ethics; and 
has collected one of the finest and best selected libraries in this locality. 
It contains standard works on almost every conceivable subject, scarcely a 
topic referred to in his home being without its volume for consultation. When 
sixteen years old young Collins began life for himself by securing a clerkship 
in a store at Farina, Fayette County. The opportunity for advancement seemed 
limited and his ambition led him to desire a broader field. He therefore went 
to Kinmundy, Marion County, where he learned telegraphy and station work on 
the Illinois Central line. In 1863, he was appointed night operator at Gilman, 
Iroquois County, and a month later was transferred to Makanda, Jackson County, 
as agent and operator for the Illinois Central Railroad. He performed the 
duties of the oflice but a year when on account of fever and ague he obtained 
a transfer to Peotone, where he added the duties of express agent to those he 
had formerly carried on. For twelve years Mr. Collins held the position here, 
satisfying his employers and the public, and he then resigned in favor of his 
brother Thomas, himself entering into the grain and hay business in company 
with Robert Rains, under the firm name of Rains & Collins. In 1875, the 
connection was dissolved and a new partnership formed, the firm of Schroeder, 
Smith & Collins embarking in the sale of general merchandise and carrying it 
on five years. During that time our subject and Mr. Schroeder were also 
connected in the grain business, the style of the firm being Collins and 
Schroeder. The same year that Gen. Garfield was elected to the Presidency, Mr. 
Collins made the race in this district for the Legislature and was elected on 
the Republican ticket by a large majority. His record in the Thirty-second 
General Assembly of Illinois is one of an opponent of all ring jobs, 
unnecessary and extravagant appropriations, and the friend of every means of 
real development and moral growth. He has held local offices for many years 
and his popularity is indicated in the fact that he has repeatedly defeated 
candidates of the German race which predominates in his locality. He has been 
Supervisor of Peotone Township for years, has also been Chairman of the County 
Board, member of the Village Board and School Director. He has likewise been 
Justice of the Peace, although he read law for purely business purposes and 
not with the intention of practicing it other than in his own affairs. The 
same fall that he was elected to the legislature, Mr. Collins sold out his 
interest in the general merchandise business and bought out his partner in the 
grain trade, to which he has given his exclusive attention as a means of 
support and gain. The trade has constantly grown in his hands, the month of 
May, 1890, having brought him $20,000 in business in Peotone. In connection 
with that business he holds a membership in the Chicago Board of Trade, thus 
being able to operate among the bulls and bears of the grain market that 
almost rules the deals of the country. Mr. Collins also has a half interest in 
the The Works at Peotone, and a share with his brother in the hardware 
business. Mr. Collins was fortunate in his choice of a life companion, gaining 
for his wife Miss Caroline Folke, who became Mrs.Collins, December 2, 1869. 
She looks well to the ways of her household, graciously presides over the 
tasteful dwelling,and surrounds her family with the joys of home only possible 
to a true and devoted woman. She was born May 22, 1852, was educated in the 
common schools and belongs, like her husband, to the Presbyterian Church. Her 
father, Dr. Henry Folke, was a prominent physician of this county for many 
years; he died in 1879. Her mother bore the maiden name of Louisa Klinsman and 
is still living, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Dr. and Mrs. Folke 
were born in Germany whence they came to America many years ago. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Collins three children have been born—Kittie, Grace and Paul. Miss Kittie 
was graduated from the Peotone High School in 1890, and will take a course of 
instruction in instrumental and vocal music at Lake Forest University, near 
Chicago, next year. Miss Grace will accompany her and take a classical and 
scientific course, while it is the intention of the parents to give Master 
Paul equally good opportunities as his years increase. Mr. Collins is Elder 
and Trustee in the Presbyterian Church and Superintendent of the Sunday 
School. Miss Kittie teaches the infant class. In principles and practice, Mr. 
Collins is a temperance man. He has been a Republican since he arrived at 
manhood and was a member of the Union League when it was dangerous, in 
Southern Illinois, to belong to it or the Republican party. He has taken an 
active part in conventions, county, State and Congressional. He belongs to 
Peotone Lodge, 636, A. F. and A. M., in which he has occupied the Secretary's 
chair many times. The residence of Mr. Collins was a purchase and has been 
remodeled and beautified since he became the owner. It is furnished throughout 
in accordance with the taste of the occupants and is a popular gathering place 
for the best citizens. A few years ago Mr. Collins platted Collins' Addition 
to Peotone. He has owned several farms but only for purposes of speculation, 
selling when good oppor tunities came. When three years old he had the small 
pox, and, taking cold, the disease settled in his right side and limb, 
permanently crippling him. 

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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