My Genealogy Hound

W. H. Collins, attorney-at law, of the firm of Collins & Lake, Lockesburg, Ark. Mr. Collins was born in Pontotoc County, Miss., on November 4, 1854, and is a son of Abram and Amelia A. (Horan) Collins, natives respectively, of Alabama and South Carolina. Of the Collins family the great-grandfather was a Scotchman, who came to the New World to try his fortunes. The Horans went to Alabama about 1840. Abram Collins was just about reaching his majority when he moved to Mississippi, where he was married on December 25, 1851, to Miss Horan. They resided in Mississippi until 1858, when they came to Arkansas and settled near Brownstown, Sevier County. They had started for Texas (Mr. Collins having been to that State the previous year), but bad weather overtaking them they stopped and homesteaded 160 acres in the black lands. There he resided until 1862, when he enlisted in McCain’s company, Cable’s brigade, and was with Gen. Price in his famous Missouri raid. Near Independence, Mo., he was wounded and taken prisoner, remaining confined until after the surrender. He came home shattered and with his health impaired, and never entirely recovered. His death occurred on January 1, 1877. His wife still survives. They were the parents of seventeen children, thirteen of whom are now living, and all but two in Sevier County. W. H. Collins was early taught the duties of farm life, and his educational advantages were limited, having, when twenty-four years of age, only a slight knowledge of the rudimentary branches. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, and being the eldest son, had charge of the home place. When twenty-four years old he entered school at Mineral Springs, where he remained two years. After that he was deputy county clerk for almost four years, and while holding that position, carried into execution the long-cherished desire of reading law. In September, 1886, he passed a thorough examination before the court in his own county, and was admitted to the bar, immediately beginning to practice. He has been more successful than his highest anticipations warranted, and is a lawyer of unusual ability. In July, 1889, he became associated with J. S. Lake in the practice of law. He was married on December 16, 1885, to Miss Fannie Steele, of Lockesburg, and they have a son, Abe, who is now four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Collins was county assessor in 1884—85, and is now mayor of Lockesburg. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party.