C. Frank Collins, born September 7, 1863, in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, is a prominent farmer and stock raiser in Yankton County, South Dakota. The son of G. W. and Anna Collins, he moved with his family to Nebraska in 1879 and later to Yankton County. Frank started his own farm with minimal resources but gradually expanded his holdings and improved his property. He married Delight Post on January 21, 1884, and they have built a successful farming enterprise with significant livestock operations. A dedicated Republican, Collins remains active in public affairs and community development.
C. Frank Collins.— Many of the most successful farmers of Yankton County, South Dakota, are devoting much of their attention to stock raising, and this branch of the business now claims most of our subject’s time. He is a native of Illinois, born in Jo Daviess County, September 7, 1863, and is a son of G. W. and Anna (Fickes) Collins. In 1879, the father, in company with his family, removed to Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming for a few years, that having been his life occupation. He then came to Yankton County, South Dakota, and purchased a small farm where he made his home, an honored and respected citizen of the community, up to the time of his death, May 24, 1903. In his political affiliations, he was a Republican. The subject’s mother, who was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, died in Blair, Nebraska, in the ‘eighties. The children of the family were six in number. Melissa, the eldest, is now the wife of W. F. E. Clark, a farmer of Yankton County; Mary is the wife of Charles Dean, a railroad man living in Iowa; Ellen, deceased, was the wife of E. D. Wilson, whose home is at Silver Creek, Nebraska; Clara is the wife of Henry Dean, a resident of Gayville, South Dakota; C. Frank is the next of the family; and John C. married Sarah Robinson and is engaged in the grain and lumber business at Wessington Springs, South Dakota. The children were all provided with good common-school educations and are now well established in life.
C. Frank Collins accompanied his parents on their removal to Nebraska, and under the parental roof, he grew to manhood in that state, giving his father the benefit of his labors until he attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself. He was married on the 21st of January, 1884, to Miss Delight Post, a daughter of Dan Post, who is now living near Bloomfield, Nebraska. She is the first in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Andy, residing near Bloomfield, Nebraska; Florence, wife of Fred Heviland, of Meckling, South Dakota; Ernest and Arthur, making their home with their sister, of Meckling, South Dakota.
On his arrival in Yankton County, Mr. Collins’ capital consisted of a team of horses and fifty-five dollars in money, but by industry, perseverance, and good management, he has steadily prospered in his undertakings. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land but subsequently sold forty acres. Upon his place, he built a nice residence in 1903 and has made many other good and substantial improvements. He has at present one hundred and ninety head of stock, eighty-eight of which he is fattening for the market, and he has some good horses and hogs. By his ballot, Mr. Collins supports the Republican Party, and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.