California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


S. W. COLLINS. Son of John W. and Miriam R. Piper Collins, was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, 
June 13, 1829. He resided in his birthplace until he was three years of age, when his parents moved to 
Greene County, Illinois, where he received his education at the common schools, and afterwards 
worked a farm until 1854, when he moved to Greenfield, that county, and was engaged in selling 
goods until 1857. He then went back on his farm and sold that in 1859, and moved to Girard, Macoupin 
County, Illinois, and was engaged in selling goods again at that place, until 1862. He then sold out and 
moved to Linn County, Kansas, and located in Mound City, and was engaged in selling goods at that 
place until December of that year. Then he sent his family to Leavenworth City, and he took a stock of 
goods down into the Osage Nation, about fifteen miles south of Humboldt, Alien County, Kansas. 
After the war had closed in 1865, he moved with his family to Labette County, Kansas, and remained 
there until the ninth day of June, 1875, and arrived in California June 14. He spent a couple of weeks in 
Stanislaus County with his brother-in-law, near Hills Ferry, then came to Napa County, and July 29, 
1875, he settled on his ranch of forty acres, about one mile west of Calistoga, where he still resides 
surrounded by his family and respected by all who know him. Mr. Collins was appointed in August, 
1879, to the office of Justice of the Peace, and the following year was elected to the same position, 
which he now holds. He is also a Notary Public, having been appointed by Governor Perkins in 
February, 1880. Mr. Collins was twice married, first, December 12, 1850, to Miss Sarah O. Dickennan, 
who was born in Mount Holly, Vermont, November 3, 1832, and died March 26, 1867. By this union 
they had five children, Isaac W., born December 9, 1851, and died March 19, 1853; Miriam H., born 
December 30, 1852; Samuel A., born September 18, 1855; Nelson W., born January 29, 1862; Major C., 
born February 20, 1866. Mr. Collins was married, secondly, in March, 1869, to Mrs. Mary A. Hawes, a 
native of Indiana, who was born November 2,1831. By this union they have one daughter, Anna S., 
born October 14, 1871.