WILLIAM J. COLLINS
Was born in Campbell county, Virginia, on July 23, 1834. His
parents were Virginians, his father, George F. Collins, born in Culpeper
county, and his mother, whose maiden name was Eleanor Bishop, also
born in Culpeper county. Both died in Appomattox county, the father
in 1864, at the age of 58 years, and the mother on August 21, 1887,
aged eighty-three years. The wife of Mr. Collins was born in Campbell
county, Nannie P., daughter of Christopher and Elmira A. (Williams)
Clark, both born in Campbell county. Her father died in Lynchburg in
1876, her mother's home is still in Lynchburg. Mr. and Mrs. Collins
were married in Campbell county on November 21, 1866. They have
two children, C. Clark and Lena B.
Mr. Collins was in service in the Confederate States Army through
the late civil war, enlisting in June, 1861, sergeant Company A, 44th
Virginia Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Sailors Creek, April 6,
1865, and held at Point Lookout, Maryland, two months, then released
on parole. Battles: Rich Mountain, Greenbrier River, those around
Richmond, Sailors Creek, and many others. His brother, E. F. Collins,
served in the same company, and has the same war record. In 1872,
William J. Collins went into the tobacco commission business in the
firm of Clark & Collins; afterward the style of firm was Clark, Collins &
Clark; at present the firm is again Clark & Collins. Mr. Collins has
been two years deputy sheriff of Campbell county.
