Biographical Sketches
ANCEL COLLINS
Is numbered among the progressive real estate dealers of Kansas City. He now resides at No. 4800 Independence Avenue, on what was a part of the old family homestead. Here he has lived for more than 60 years, and has therefore witnessed the entire growth and development of Kansas City, watching its transformation from a mere hamlet to one of the important cities of the West. He well deserves mention among the honored class that opened the way to civilization in this region and made its development and progress possible.
Mr. Collins was born in Estill county, Kentucky, October 26, 1826, and was only in his 8th year when, in April, 1834, his parents came to Missouri. His father, Michael Collins, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Noland, was born in Kentucky. They settled on a farm which embraced the present home of our subject, 61 years ago, and at different times Mr. Collins entered land from the government until he had become the owner of 300 acres. He was a general farmer, an industrious man and extensively carried on that business, cultivating his land with the aid of slave labor. The old family homestead was located on what is now 12th street, and near by he erected a mill, which was operated by horse power, and which was one of the first built in this section of the state. He was prominently identified with the pioneer history of Jackson county, and largely aided in its early development. His death occurred on the 12th of May, 1850, at the age of 58 years, and his wife survived him about 12 years.
In the family of this worthy couple were 9 children, 4 of whom are living at this writing, namely: Sarah, the widow of Miletus Brown, of Kansas City; John, who resides in Oregon county, Missouri; Gabriel F., who is living with Mrs. Brown on the old farm; and Ancel, of this review.
Few residents of Kansas City can boast of having so long made their home here as our subject. In the days when all the region round about was a wild and unimproved tract of land, he aided his father in the development of the farm. The family had many of the usual experiences and hardships of pioneer life, but as the years passed their labors were crowned with prosperity, and the rapidly increasing population of Kansas City caused a corresponding rise in land values. Mr. Collins continued to work on the farm until 1857, when he began business on his own account, having inherited a part of the old homestead, and for some years did an excellent business as a market gardener and general farmer. He still owns about 68 acres of the old homestead. Of this about � has been platted, and, lying just outside the city limits, forms an excellent suburban property. For several years he has been engaged in the real estate business, buying and selling property, much of which he has highly improved. He now owns realty of various descriptions in the various sections of the city, and by his foresight, well directed efforts, sagacity and sound business judgment has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property.
On the 12th of June, 1850, in Kansas City, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Collins and Miss Sarah Ann Williams, daughter of John Williams, of Clay county, Missouri. For almost 42 years they traveled life's journey together, and then the wife was called to the home beyond this life April 10, 1892. Their family numbered the following members: Lizzie, wife of Arland Wimsett, of Bates county, Missouri; Ann Eliza, wife of George Greenwood, who is living near Independence, Missouri; Minerva, wife of John Clemons, a gardener of Kansas City; Jeff D., who married Ianthe Corder, daughter of Nathan Corder, of Kansas city, and is engaged in gardening on the old home place; Rebecca, Lorena and Mattie. The last 3 are at home. The deceased are: Asenath, who died at the age of 12 years; Almeda, who died at the age of 10 years; and Ancel, the last born, died in infancy. In 1887 Mr. Collins erected his present fine residence. He belongs to the Central Methodist Episcopal church, at the corner of 9th and Lydia St., and was one of its first members. He is an honored and valued citizen, and the history of his adopted county would be incomplete without mention of this worthy family.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.