My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. COLLINS, a native of Ireland, was born July 19, 1845, and in 1849 was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Louisville. He was educated in the common-schools of the city and at Bardstown, Ky. His first employment was as messenger for E. Buster two years, after which he passed four years on the farm with his father. In 1862 he returned to Louisville, and in June enlisted in Company A, Fifth Infantry, and served until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was mustered out as sergeant. After the close of the civil war he joined John O’Neill’s Fenian expedition to Canada, and took part in the fight at Ridgeway, as captain of a company raised in Louisville. He next went to Denver, Colo., where for a year he was engaged in the manufacture of vinegar and in distilling whisky. On his return to Louisville he served as clerk in the post office, and in the Internal Revenue service until 1875, and then engaged in the wholesale whisky business with Alvin Wood & Co. until 1883, when he entered into the distilling business on his own account at 104 and 106 East Main street. In 1872 he married Maggie H. Enright, who has borne him three children — Florence B., Kate E. and Charles William. Mr. Collins is a member of the G. A. R.