SANFORD ANDREW COLLINS - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 355-356

SANFORD ANDREW COLLINS, one of the active and energetic young business men of 
the city of Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], was born at Alexandria Bay 
[Jefferson County], NY, 18 Mar 1860. While still a lad of only seven years 
his parents brought him to WI and located on a farm in Sauk County. Their 
names were Sanford and Caroline M. (SIMONS) COLLINS, and they had been reared 
to an agricultural life, which they easily followed in their new home. They 
settled on a farm near Ironton [Sauk County, WI], where the husband and 
father died 24 Nov 1874, at the untimely age of 34. He was also born at 
Alexandria Bay [Jefferson County], NY, where he grew to manhood. He was a 
member of the Congregational church and a friend of education. During the 
Civil war he organized three different companies of soldiers, but he was 
debarred from active service on account of physical disabilties. He was a 
prominent Mason, and at one time was master of the [p 356] home lodge. His 
father, Joseph COLLINS, was a native of Ireland, but came to this country 
when a boy. He was a linen manufacturer in MA, but died a farmer in NY. 
Mrs. Caroline M. COLLINS is still living in Milwaukee at the age of 58. Her 
birthplace was in Jefferson County, NY, and her parents, Andrew and Lucinda 
SIMMONS, were from PA. [Note different spelling from SIMONS.] They were of 
German origin and her father was a maker of potash for many years. Among her 
ancestors were several who took part in the Revolutionary war.

Sanford A. COLLINS lived on the farm until he had become quite a stout and 
sturdy youn man of 16. At that time he left home and went to Milwaukee 
[Milwaukee County, WI] to learn the marble trade. He finished his 
apprenticeship at Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], where he worked several years. 
He has charge of a store during these years for a short time at Tracy [Lyon 
County], MN, and had short engagements at other western points. Nothing 
pleased him so well, however, as the marble business and WI for a home. He 
bought a shop at Baraboo, with a branch at Reedsburg, in 1879, and for five 
years operated the two plants. In 1884 he sold out the yard and offices at 
Baraboo, and removed to Reedsburg to make it his home. Here he has built up 
an extensive business, and he commands a volume of trade not surpassed by any 
house in WI, outside of Milwaukee. He ships monuments to many different 
states; at the present moment his business is very promising.

Mr. COLLINS and Miss Alice J. THAYER were united in marriage in Mar 1881. 
She is a daughter of George W. and Mary E. (BURTON) THAYER, of Baraboo [Sauk 
County, WI], and is a lady of much character and many attractive qualities. 
Mr. THAYER was born in Deerfield [Franklin County], MA, and is a lineal 
descendant of Governor BRADLEY of colonial fame. Mrs. COLLINS has in her 
possession several interesting relics of the Mayflower. She is a lady of 
unusual literary gifts, and is a welcome poetical contributor to several of 
the leading periodicals of the day. She is a prominent figure in social 
gatherings, and frequently preserves their most enjoyable features in 
striking verse. She is the mother of two charming children, Theodore and 
Carrie, and presides over a pleasant and attractive home.

Mr. COLLINS is a strong Republican, following the principles and examples of 
both his father and grandfather. He takes an intelligent and lively interest 
in local affairs, and in the spring of 1899 was elected alderman from the 
first ward of his city. In 1899 he was elected president of the Reedsburg 
Fair.