Source: COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

(Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families.) Illustrated. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1901.

Page 1355

JOHN COLLINS, a leading grocer of Plantsville, is a self-made man who, without pecuniary advantage at the commencement of life, battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved success. By sheer force and will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward.

Mr. Collins was born in County Kerry, Ireland, December 23, 1844, a son of John and Jane (McCarthy) Collins, who came to America in 1849, and located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. There our subject was educated in the common schools, and there he remained until 15 years of age. In 1859 he became a resident of Plantsville, Hartford County, Connecticut, where he was employed in the bolt shop of the Plant Manufacturing Co. until 1863, and then worked as a molder for the Peck, Smith & Wilcox Co., until 1868. In the latter year he embarked in the grocery business, to which he has since devoted his time and attention with the most gratifying results. He is now the oldest merchant, in years of continuous business, in Plantsville. He erected his present block in 1870, and has the best appointed store in the place

In November, 1872, Mr. Collins married Miss Hannah Carmody, a daughter of John and Hannah Carmody of Plantsville, and to them were born two daughters, Maggie and Annie. Mr. Collins is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is unswerving in his allegiance to the Democratic Party, and has most efficiently served as a member of the board of assessors four years, as a member of the board of burgesses for the same length of time.