My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. COLLINS has been financially interested in the Eureka Roller Mills of Warrensburg, Mo., during the past five years, and is numbered among the successful business men of the place. He is associated with many of her leading organizations, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Daughters of Rebekah, and also of the Select Knights of the Ancient Order United Workmen. On reaching his majority he was initiated into the Odd Fellows’ Society in New York State, and ever since has kept in touch with the work of the order. His first Presidential ballot was in favor of Gen. U. S. Grant in the election of 1872, and up to the present time he has never faltered in his allegiance to the Republican party.

Dr. George F. Collins, father of J. A. Collins, was born in the Empire State in 1812, being a son of Dr. John Collins, a native of Rhode Island and of English extraction. Dr. George F. Collins enjoyed a large and successful practice in Trumansburg, N. Y., and vicinity, and owned considerable land adjoining the town. His wife, whose girlhood name was Maria A. Swartwart, was also born in New York and was of German descent. Dr. Collins died in 1864, leaving five children, of whom J. A. is the third in order of birth.

In addition to receiving a good general education, John A. Collins received the advantages afforded by the Trumansburg Academy, where he pursued his studies about four years. He was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., March 16, 1849, and soon after reaching his majority came to Warrensburg with his sister, Mrs. H. M. Proper, afterward Mrs. Tichenor. In company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Proper, young Collins bought a farm in this locality and assisted in its operation for two years. Then, selling out his interest in the place, he took a stock of goods to Honey Grove, Tex., remaining there one year, after which he came back to this county and re-invested in land. For the next fifteen years he devoted his exclusive attention to agriculture, and was very successful in his endeavors.

April 1, 1880, Mr. Collins married Jane H. Hyer, of Warrensburg. She was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 30, 1848, and is the mother of one child, George Hyer, whose birth occurred November 30, 1881. Mrs. Collins is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and belongs to the Old-school Presbyterian Church. Like her husband, she has many sincere friends, and like him she is also interested in all branches of charitable and religious work.