A. D. Collins, Fulton County, was born July 29, 1834, in Graves County, Kentucky, 
and is the eldest of three sons born to Jeremiah and Wanda (Dupree) Collins, natives 
of Murray and Williamson Counties , Tennessee, and of English descent. The father 
died in 1840. A.D. remained at home with his mother until he became of age, 
meantime receiving a common school education. In 1850 he began clerking in a dry 
goods house in Feliciana. There he remained about four years, and then returned 
home, where he remained about two years. In 1858 he embarked in the dry goods 
business at Cedar Hill with J. H. Woolridge. At the breaking out of the war he came 
to Fulton and clerked for William Woolridge, who was running the first store in the 
town. In September 1861, he enlisted in Company A, of the Seventh Kentucky 
Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army; he was elected second lieutenant. At 
the battle of Shiloh, he was wounded in the left leg, which disabled him from any 
further service, and he was discharged. He returned home, and as soon as he was 
able turned his attention to farming. This he followed until the close of the war. In 
1867, in connection with his brother, he started a general store at Fulton, under the 
firm name of A. D. & V. A. Collins. They remained in business some five years, 
when V. A. retired, and A. D. continued for himself until 1880. He then sold out and 
commenced in the grocery business under the firm name of Beard & Collins. Two 
years later the firm was changed to Moore & Collins. This firm is still doing business 
in Fulton. Subject has served several terms as village trustee. Mr Collins was married 
December 1871, to Miss Ella Shelton, of Paducah, a daughter of L. D. Shelton, and a 
native of Virginia. Four children bless this union, viz.: Hettie F., Alfonzo D., 
Jeremiah and Lillian C. Mrs. Collins is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. 
Collins is a member of the K. of H. fraternity.

“Histories and Biographies of Ballard, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, 
McCracken and Marshall Counties, Kentucky” – A Reprint of Part II of: Battle, J.H., 
W,H,Perrin and G.C.Kniffin. Kentucky: A History of the State. First Edition. Louisville, 
Chicago. F.A.Battey Publishing Co., 1885 – pg.188