Collins Family

Details

  • Marker: Collins Family
  • Location: Marker is located at Founders Plaza – 102 W. Abram Street – in Arlington.
  • Date Visited: 04-18-21
  • Notes: Founders Plaza pays tribute to Andrew Hayter (the Father of Arlington) and six of Arlington’s founding families.

Collins Family

Marker text:

Four Collins brothers and their families migrated to the area, first leasing land on Arkansas Lane. By 1876, they had moved into the new town of Arlington.

William Joseph Collins (1830-1905) was a farmer. His farm was in the vicinity east of present-day Collins Street and north of Division Street. He was often referred to as “Uncle Joe” and was keenly interested in schools and education.

Rice Woods Collins (1838-1912) was a merchant. He opened the R.W. Collins and Co., a mercantile establishment located at the southwest corner of Center and Main Streets. As the need for a public well in the center of town became evident, R.W. took the lead in soliciting subscriptions for the cost of drilling. Unfortunately, the water was not drinkable because of the high mineral content. He was also a stockholder in Arlington College (UTA). His daughter, Mittie was the first baby girl born in the new town.

Thomas B. Collins served a time as County Treasurer and was Mayor of the City of Arlington from 1902 until 1904. Among the items discussed during his term were a curfew law and an ordinance regulating the boarding of interurban electric cars within the city limits.

Marshall Collins was in the real estate business. He also served as a school trustee for Arlington Independent School District after it was established. In 1905, Arch Woods Collins (A.W.), son of William, played a significant role in expanding the Arlington Light and Power Company, overseeing the installation of a system of waterworks all over the city. He was also one of several citizens who gave land for Arlington College in 1895. He continued to support Carlisle Military Academy in 1903 and Arlington Training School in 1913.

In March 1909, Dr. Joseph Donald Collins, also son of William, had the water from the mineral well analyzed and decided to build a sanitarium on South Center Street near Border, with the water used for treatment of patients.

Third generation Benton Carter Collins, descendant of Thomas B., served several years as City Secretary and is sometimes given credit for the naming of Collins Street.

The Collins Brothers left lasting impacts and a long line of descendants.

Inscription by Jerry Collins, descendant of Thomas B. Collins and JoAnn Somers, descendant of William Joseph Collins. 2008.