JOHN COLLINS (deceased) was an old settler of Jo Daviess County, and one of its most successful farmers, owning, at the time of his death, a fine farm of 435 acres in East Galena Township, most of which he had improved and brought under cultivation prior to his demise, which took place March 22, 1876. He came to this State and county early in the thirties, locating first in Guilford Township, where he took up from the Government a farm of 160 acres, on which he made his home for several years; then, selling it at an advance over cost, removed to East Galena Township. He was born in Ireland in 1809, and when sixteen years of age came to America, landing at New Brunswick, N. S., and was the only member of his family who emigrated. His ultimate destination, however, was the United States, and he soon left the British Provinces, and made the journey to New York City, going from there to Pennsylvania, where for two years he worked as a section boss on the canal. Leaving Pennsylvania he came West, and for some time worked as a miner at the Potosi, Wis., and from there made his way to this county, locating on the farm in Guilford Township.

January 2, 1848, while living in Guilford, he was married to Miss Elenora Mohan, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in June, 1824, and came to this country in 1844 with her parents, James and Catherine (Hart) Mohan. They landed at New Orleans, and thence came up the Mississippi River to Galena. The father secured land in Guilford Township, and there Mrs. Collins’s parents both lived the remainder of their lives; the father dying at the age of seventy-six, and the mother a few years later, aged seventy-seven. Both were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church, in which faith they reared their children. Mrs. Collins is one of a family of five sons and two daughters, and the only one now surviving. She and her husband were the parents of five children; of whom the following is recorded: John J. is the owner of 100 acres of the homestead farm, and is cultivating most of the remainder; he is married to Miss Ella Maguire, who was born and reared in Jo Daviess County; and they are the parents of three children – Mary, John C., and Clara. Michael F., the next son, is wedded to Rosanna Reynolds, also born and reared in this county, and the mother of five children – Rosella, Loretta, John E., Barnhart J., and James M. Michael owns and farms 105 acres of the old homestead; Mary A. became the wife of Thomas Power, a teacher by profession, and a prominent man in the township where he makes his home in Humboldt County, Cal., where he is County Supervisor; Katie A. lives with her sister in California, and Emily T. is at home. Like their parents the family are all devout members of the Roman Catholic Church.

John Collins during his residence in this county had acquired the reputation of a quiet, unassuming and upright citizen, who made many friends where he was known, and at his death he left his widow and children not only a fine property, but the priceless heritage of a good name. His widow still resides upon the home farm, in the possession of a competence won by the efforts of herself and husband, and blessed with the love and veneration of her devoted children. The eldest son, John J., is taking his father’s place in the community, and is acquiring a reputation as a man and citizen of which he may well be proud.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889) Pg 601