My Genealogy Hound

HON. JOHN A. COLLINS, ex-Mayor and ex-Postmaster of Washington, Franklin County, Mo., is now proprietor of the finest and largest livery stable in Sedalia. He is a leader in the Democratic party, has been a delegate to numerous conventions of late years, a member of the County Committee, and was an Alternate to the National Convention which met in St. Louis in 1884. He served for six years as Mayor of Washington, Mo., having been elected in spite of the strong Republican forces in that place, and was also Alderman for several terms.

The grandfather of our subject, Capt. William Collins, won his title in the War of the Revolution, and was twice wounded while fighting for liberty. He was born in Kentucky, and was a farmer near Bowling Green, but later in life moved to Missouri, becoming one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Lexington, his death occurring on his farm in that region. In politics he was a Whig and brought up his sons to be firm believers in the party. Thomas Collins, father of John A., was born on a farm near Bowling Green, Ky. He was married in that state, and later became a pioneer of Higginsville, Mo. There he owned from three hundred and fifty to our hundred acres of land and gave much attention to the raising of hemp. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace, and religiously was a member of the Christian Church, in which he held the office of Deacon. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Kentucky, being a daughter of William Dyer, whose death occurred in that state. Mrs. Collins’ death occurred before the demise of her husband, and of her seven children all but one survive.

The birth of John A. Collins occurred near Higginsville, Lafayette County, Mo., August 12, 1843. His boyhood was passed in the uneventful manner common to fanner boys, his education being acquired in an old log schoolhouse. In 1860 he went to Warrensburg Mo., obtaining a clerkship in a general store, and there remained until the out break of the war. On the first tap of the drum he enlisted in the Confederate service, under Captain Cockrell (now General), in General Stock’s brigade. His service was mainly in Missouri, where he participated in the battles of Carthage, Wilson Creek and Lexington. Being taken prisoner, he was exchanged soon afterwards and returned to his company. Six months later he was again taken captive, in the southern part of the state, but on being released on parole returned to Warrensburg. The two years following he resided in Lincoln County, after which, in 1866, he went to Washington, Mo., and for three years was engaged in the manufacture of tobacco. Later he embarked in the livery business, and operated stables there for about fourteen years, but sold out in 1883, upon his appointment to the position of Postmaster by Cleveland. At the end of his four-years term he resigned, and in 1889 located in Sedalia, where he had previously purchased property. He succeeded Louis Dietz in the livery business at Nos. 213 and 215 West Fourth Street. The location is central and the stables have a frontage of ninety feet and a depth of one hundred and twenty feet, with stalls for fifty-two horses. Here may be found a fine line of roadsters and riding horses and all kinds of landaus, carriages, coaches, surreys, etc. The plant is fitted out with a system of water supply, electric lights and all modern equipments.

While a resident of Washington, Mo., Mr. Collins married one of her fair daughters. Miss Ella McDonald, the date of that event being December 6, 1882. Of their union there have been born four children, namely: Ethel, John A., Jr., James I. and Ella M. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Presbyterian Church and have hosts of warm friends in this city and in Washington, their former home. Our subject is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, holding the office of Finance-keeper, and is a Trustee in the local lodge of the Woodmen of the World.