The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-18
MAYOR-ELECT OF BOSTON.
interesting Life History of Gen. Pat
rick 4. Collins.

Boston Journal.
The life story of Gen. Patrick A. Collins
is an interesting one.
Fermoy, County Cork. Ireland, was the
place of his birth, and the date of that
event was March u. 1874. When four years
old he became an immigrant through force
of circumstances. His father had died,
leaving the family dependent upon the re-
sources of the mother. The problem Of
rearing her family in ireland during those
terrible years was a tremendous one. The
alternative, America, extended a hope that
there would be opportunities for herself
and her children which were denied them
in their native land. So she gathered up
her children and her little effects and sailed
for this country and established a domicile
in Chelsea.
Patrick was sent to school until he was
twelve years Of age. Then he became the
office boy of a lawyer, and it was in this
office that his dreams first began to take
definite shape. How to realize them was
another question. He had no means TO
pay for his education, and the necessity Of
helping his mother took every penny that
he could earn. In the lawyers office his
earnings were so small that he resigned
and went to work in a store.
Even then the prospects were far from
bright, and, following the westward star.
which held out an alluring invitation, the
family moved TO the new country Of Ohio,
where Patrick worked at various trades,
and even dug coal as a miner. He was then
but thirteen years old, but he saw that the
opportunities which he had hoped to find
there were not I'm m with his dreams,
so he returned to Boston, two years later,
and became an upholstery apprentice in
tho cfnra Of Z NJ HolpoaC q 20 His nrOg-
ress there was rapid, and in a short time
he was made foreman of the shop.
At that time the trades union movement
was in its infancy, but he was from the
start a strong believer in II, and he was at
one time the only foreman in Boston, in
that particular trade, who was a member
of a trades union. He was promoted TO the
position of secretary of the union, and was
later selected as a delegate to the Trades
Assembly, a body corresponding TO the Cen
trail Labor Union of the present day
While working as an upholsterer he de-
termined that he would become a lawyer,
and after he had accumulated a little
money he resigned his position as foreman
with T.. H. BrabrOok * Co. and entered the
law office of j. NJ. Keith. This was In No
vember, 1867, and the month previous he
had been nominated as representative, He
took his seat i'm the House Of 1868, then a
young man of twenty-three years, was re-
elected, and then served two terms in the
Senate. During his legislative career he
applied himself TO the study of law, and in
n ~ lis 4oNly dlICl 1OLhBACNAAo AMo tAA91 80
the Harvard Law School, he was admitted
to the bar.
For the next ten years he closely applied
himself to the practice of his profession,
although he maintained his interest in
political and other public matters. In ISL
he was made chairman Of the Democratic
city committee, and served two terms IN
that capacity. In 1876 he was elected dele
gate-at-large to the Democratic national
convention, an honor which he also re-
ceived in 1888, and 1892.
T.. 1000 l.. 80 a1nafa1 20 ronUrnCu and
reelected in 1884 and 1856. declining a
fourth nomination. At Washington his abil-
ity as a legislator was recognized, and he
received an appointment on the judiciary
committee. During his last term he was
also a member Of the on the
Pacific Railroads.
He was one of the originators OF the ma
tional bankruptcy bill. which has since
become a law. Mr.. Collins advocated II In
several speeches. but IT was impossible 10
secure its passage at that time.
The original bill was reported in March,
1884, and although il did not become a law
for fourteen years, il may be said that he
is entitle" to a large share of the credit for
its ultimate success. He also interested
himself in the international copyright bill
the bill for the settlement OF the French
spoliation and Alabama claims, and was in
terested in securing their settlement. From
1884 TO 1890 Mr.. Collins was chairman OF
the Democratic state committees.
1t is said that his speech In Albany in
behalf Of Grover Cleveland In 1894 was me
pivot on which Mr.. Cleveland's election
turned. Whether that be certain or not, II
IT true that IL was a mastery effort and II
had a great influence in turning the tide OF
votes Of those. irish by birth or descent
who were being attracted 10 the candidacy
of James G.. Blaine.
Mr.. Collins resided in South Boston from
1860 10 1855, when he purchased the beau
tiful estate on Mount Ida, in Dorchester
This he sold when he was appointed consul
general at london by President Cleveland
in 1893. and he now resides on Corey road
Brighton. His family consists Of his wife
two daughters and a son. General Collins
wife was Miss Mary T.. Carey, OF Boston.
His title, by the way, Is one which hS
never makes use of, although he is fire.
Quently addressed by ii. 1t was conferred
on him by Governor CASTOR, In 1919, wheT
he made him judge advocate general OF
his staff.
He is interested as a director I'm the In.
ternational Trust Company. and is a mem.
Der OF the Union Institution for Savings
he Is also chairman OF the American bOarC
of trustees OF the National A~ssuranc,
Company of Ireland. He Is a member ant
a past president OF the Charitable Irish
Society. and also Of the Catholic Union
which he assisted In organizing. He IL alss
a member OF the Manhattan and Demo
cratic clubs OF New York. the Young Men.
Democratic Club of Massachusetts. tn
) New England Tarir Reform LEAGUE tbs