Orin T. Collins, Westfield, was born January 3, 1823, in Hartford, Conn. His great-grandfather came from Scotland. The latter’s son, Simeon, was born in Connecticut, where he was a farmer and died. He was the father of six children: Silas, Jonathan, Isaac, Alvin, Simeon and Mrs. Prudence Deer. Of these Isaac Collins was a blacksmith. He married Sophia Treat. They were natives of Connecticut, where they died. They were the parents of five children: Sophia, Orin T., Emily, Lovinia and Lydia A.
Of these only Orin T. survives. He was reared and educated in his native State, where he was married, November 24, 1846, to Charlotte O. Pitkin, born August 4, 1821, in Hartford, Conn., daughter of George Pitkin, who came here in 1855, and died here. She was the mother of five children: George P., Mrs., Charlotte E. Ross (of Kansas), Sophia T., Charles P. and Laura C. Collins. Mrs. Charlotte O. Collins died May 7, 1878.
Mr. Collins came to Bureau County in November 1855. He lived two years in Lamoille Township, and then bought 160 acres in Westfield Township, on Section 25 and 26, where he now resides. Politically, he has been so far identified with the Republican party.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885