Napa County Biographies

Hon. S. W. Collins

Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

  
In the following pages will be found sketched briefly one of the most 
interesting and eventful life-histories that it has ever been the fortune of the 
writer to hear related, and not alone a busy one either, but full as useful 
also, many of his incidents being an intimate portion of the early pioneer 
history of the old-time Western States. 
      Mr. Collins is a Kentuckian by birth, dating his nativity at a point some 
two miles from Carlisle, Nicholas County, on June 13, 1829. When a child of two 
and a half years the family removed to Green County, Illinois, where his father 
took up a farm. His father�s name was John W. Collins, of Danish descent, born 
near Snow Hill, Maryland, and raised in Baltimore. His mother was a Miss Piper, 
of Irish descent, born and raised in Kentucky. For thirty years Mr. Collins 
remained in Illinois, some of his brothers and sisters still residing there. Mr. 
Collins was brought up to the life of a farmer, and afterwards started a store, 
carrying on a farm as well. Living as he did, on the margin of the Indian 
country, he became thoroughly acquainted with Indian life and character, learned 
to speak their language thoroughly (the Osage), and came to wield over them a 
great influence, an influence, let it be said, that was always exerted for good. 
As a consequence he was much employed by the Government in their dealings with 
the redskins, especially during the war and later. For many years Mr. Collins 
was post trader in the Neosho Valley in Kansas, and in all important matters 
represented the United States Government as interpreter, negotiating for the 
sale of lands, etc., etc. He assisted in raising Colonel Phillips� Indian 
Regiment in 1861, and was one of the most active and effective workers for the 
Union cause. In connection with these times Mr. Collins has many soul-stirring 
incidents to relate. Indeed, he is one of the most interesting talkers whom it 
is possible to meet, possessing a good memory and rare descriptive powers. He 
has also many mementos of early Western times and ways. Twice he was taken 
prisoner during his war experiences, and has sustained and overcome a wound that 
would have laid out a man of lesser mettle. As it is proper under the 
circumstances, he is an active and enthusiastic member of the Grand Army and a 
stanch supporter of good government. He recollects well the days when buffalo 
roamed over the plains by the million, and has hunted and trapped when the 
Indians and a few hunters and trappers were about west of the Missouri. In 1875 
Mr. Collins tired of life on the Western plains changing so rapidly as it was 
with the influx of population, and accordingly he set his face westward and came 
to the Pacific coast. Choosing Calistoga as his home, he purchased fifty-five 
acres in the outskirts of town, and settled down to enjoy the quiet he deserved 
after his long and busy years. He has laid out a vineyard of twenty-five acres, 
has a small but choice orchard for house use, and possesses a magnificent water 
privilege, having an abundant spring 1,400 feet above the house, with a 
water-head of 400 feet as piped down. Five acres of his property he laid off as 
the Calistoga cemetery, the cemetery of the town. Mr. Collins is one of the 
incorporators of Calistoga, this useful move, taking place in 1885. For two 
terms now Mr. Collins has been Supervisor of the County from his district, six 
years in all. During the latter term he has been Chairman of the Board, and the 
most active and useful member of the board. Indeed, it is customarily said that 
he is the best Supervisor the County has ever had. For eight years he has been 
Justice of the Peace for his township, from which circumstance he acquires the 
honorable title of �Judge,� by which he is generally known. There is not a more 
popular man in the County then he, and no one gifted with more energy or sound 
common sense on all matters. He is a worker, and cannot help coming to the 
front. He is useful to his fellow-citizens to be let go by himself.
      Mr. Collins was married in December, 1850, to Miss Sarah E. Dickerman, a 
native of Mount Holly, Vermont. She died March 26, 1867, in Kansas, leaving the 
following children: Miriam H. (now Mrs. Piper), born December 30,1852, living 
near Lawrence, Kansas. Samuel A., born September 18, 1855, living in Labette 
County, Kansas. Nelson W. was born, January 29, 1862, now in business in 
Calistoga. All the above were born in Illinois. Major Clinton, was born in 
Labette County, Kansas, February 20, 1866, the first white child to be born in 
that County, now working on the railroad. By the way, it should be stated that 
Judge Collins helped organize Labette County, and gave it its name. He was 
married, secondly, March 10, 1869, in Labette County, to Mrs. Mary A. Howe, nee 
Conner, a native of Miami County, Indiana. They have one daughter, Annie C., 
born October 14, 1870 in Kansas. A singular circumstance in connection with 
Judge Collins� family history is the following: His mother died, leaving one 
daughter and three sons, the daughter being the eldest. His first wife died, 
leaving also a daughter and three sons, the daughter again being the eldest. His 
son Samuel A. has also lost a wife, who left a daughter and three sons, the 
daughter again being the eldest.   Judge Collins is a member of Governor Morton 
Post, No.41, G.A.R., and also of the I.O.O.F., having joined the latter order so 
long ago as October 10,1850, when just of age. He has held every honor 
conferrable by the order. 
 
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California The Lewis Publishing Co., 
1891, Pages 808-809