BIOS: Frank B. COLLINS, Berlin, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, ppg 88-89.

  Frank B. Collins, one of the leading merchants of Berlin, Pa., was born 
January 13, 1855, in Cumberland, Md.  His father, Mark Collins, was a native of 
London, who emigrated to the United States early in life and settled at Berlin.  
He was a foundryman.  On September 17, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company 
B, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which he served in the 
Army of the Potomac till he was honorably discharged, September 16, 1864.  He 
died July 31, 1867, aged fifty years.  He married Ellen, daughter of Benjamin 
and Anna Brubaker, the former of whom was a representative of an old Berlin 
family.
  Mark and Ellen (Brubaker) Collins were the parents of nine children, namely:  
the Rev. B. B. Collins, a graduate of the Gettysburg College and Theological 
School and now a Lutheran minister in Meyersdale, Pa.; Anna, who is no longer 
living; Sarah, who resides in Berlin; William, who died young; Frank B., the 
subject of this sketch; the Rev. M. A. Collins, who was graduated from the 
Butler University and Theological School, Indiana, and is now a minister of the 
Disciples Church in Chester, England; Robert, who was educated for the ministry, 
but is now assisting his brother at the store in Berlin; Daniel and Charles, 
neither of whom lived to grow up.  The Rev. B. B. Collins was a missionary in 
Africa for a year; and his first wife, whose maiden name was Emma Fisher, died 
at sea upon the return voyage.  His present wife was before marriage Ella Delp.  
The Rev. M. A. Collins has performed missionary work in Jamaica and Africa.
  Frank B. Collins was educated in the common and normal schools of Berlin.  His 
business training was begun in the store of Philson & Brubaker, with whom he 
remained until 1880, when he engaged in business for himself.  He has since 
carried on a thriving general store.  He is quite active in public affairs.  He 
has served for nineteen years upon the School Committee, of which he was at one 
time secretary; has been Burgess, and has held other borough offices; has been a 
member of the Democratic Town and County Committees and a delegate to State 
conventions.
  On October 7, 1880, Mr. Collins was united in marriage with Emma E. Johnson, 
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stutzman) Johnson, of Berlin.  Her father was 
a grandson of George Johnson, first, and Englishman, and a hatter by trade who 
immigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania.  Her grandfather, William 
Johnson, who was born in Somerset County, married a Miss Baker, and had a family 
of six children, two of whom are living, namely: Anna M., who married Daniel 
Allfather, and resides in Brother's Valley; and William, Jr., whose home is in 
Missouri.[sic]  George Johnson, Mrs. Collins's father, was born in Berlin in 
1814.  He was a merchant and farmer, and for many years a prominent business man 
of this locality.  He held various town offices, and acted as a Justice of the 
Peace.  He died in 1894.  His wife Elizabeth, who was a daughter of Christian 
and Catherine (Layman) Stutzman, was the mother of twelve children, eight of 
whom are living, namely: Eleanor, who married Jacob C. Philson, of Berlin; 
Barbara, who is at home; Theophilus, now of La Grange County, Indiana; John O., 
of Washington, D.C.; George, who also resides in that city; Emma E., who is now 
Mrs. Collins; Irene and Mary, both at home.  Mr. and Mr. Collins have two 
children: Helen, who was born in September, 1881; and George C., who was born 
August 8, 1885.
  Mr. Collins belongs to Meyersdale Lodge No. 554, F. & A. M.; Berlin Lodge, I. 
O. O. F., and the Knights of Malta.  Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the 
Reformed church.