Sidney Collins

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Sidney Collins

In every land where freedom of the press prevails, the "Fourth Estate" is a power to be reckoned with, and the editor’s sanctum is a seat of an authority not inferior to that of kings. The leading journalists of the last century were, to a great degree, the arbiters of our national destiny. And, although the stirring times which called forth the powers of these editors of the past have now become matters of history, the new age has demands of its own, and to meet these demands man have been raised up whose talents and influence are not inferior to those of their predecessors. Taking a leading place in the list of these names is that of Sidney COLLINS, editor and publisher of the Rockaway Record, of Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey. He is descended from a study Protestant family which came to this country from the north of Ireland. His parental great-grandfather was Benjamin COLLINS, who was a farmer and also a minister, and lived for many years at Springfield and Livingston, New Jersey. Pell, son of Benjamin COLLINS, died in Livingston, Essex county, New Jersey. He married ________ EDWARDS.

Sidney, son of Pell and _______ (EDWARDS) COLLINS, and the father of the Sidney COLLINS of this sketch, was born in Livingston, in August, 1831, and died in March, 1900. In his earlier years he was a farmer, owning a large tract of land which was later divided into building lots, about 200 houses being erected on this land, which was known as Collinsville for many years. He was a successful shoe merchant for many years, removing to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1860. He married Ameilia KRANICH, who was born and educated in Heidelburg, Germany, and came to this country at the age of eighteen years. They had children: 1. Lillie May. 2. Julia. 3. Pell, who died in infancy. 4. John L., born at Livingston; was deputy internal revenue collector for a number of years, and then he removed to Newark, where he became bookkeeper for the Galena Signal Oil Company at Franklin, held the position for twenty years, and died in Newark; he married Margaret CLUSS, now living in Newark. 5. William E., of Morristown, New Jersey, was assistant to Oscar B. SMITH, an undertaker, for some years, and is now in the office of Samuel B. HALSEY, attorney. For a time he served as coroner of Morris county, and has always been a Republican and Presbyterian. 6. Sidney, of further mention. 7. Joanna, who married Frank P. COLE, and died in 1905 at the age of thirty-eight years. She left three children. 8. Abraham Lincoln, born in 1866, is a stone cutter in the employ of the DAVIS Monument Works, Morristown. He married Sarah BOWEN, and has one child. He is a Republican, and a member of the Episcopal church. 9. Harry Benjamin, born in 1868, resides on the Stephen DOUGLAS farm, which he cultivates, and gives his political support to the Republican party, and his religious to the Presbyterian church. He married Ollie, daughter of Henry B. SMITH, of Whippany, and has two daughters and one son. 10. Lockie, now forty-three years of age, was born in Collinsville, married William Earnest DOBBINS, a boss painter, and has an only daughter.

Sidney COLLINS was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on the present site of the Municipal Building, July 12, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, leaving high school at the age of sixteen years. He then obtained a position in the office of the Morristown Jerseyman, conducted by A. A. VANCE, and was connected with this office for a period of twenty-three years. In 1901 he purchased the Rockaway Record from William BURD Jr., the paper having been founded by a Mr. DEITZ. The paper is independent in the expression of its views, especially as connected with municipal politics. Prior to coming to Rockaway, Mr. COLLINS represented the second ward of Morristown on the board of freeholders from 1898 to 1901, and for ten years was a member of the Morris County Board of Registry and Election. He received five appointments. He has remodeled the office of the Rockaway Record, fitted it up with new type, and keeps it well-up-to-date in every respect. The office also does job typing. Under the able management of Mr. COLLINS, the circulation has been largely increased, and the establishment is in a most satisfactory and flourishing condition. All the news of the day is furnished with the least possible delay, and the topics of current interest are handled in a most masterly manner. Mr. COLLINS owns a fine residence on Rockaway avenue, and while he has been an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, has consistently refused the public offices which have been tendered him. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Loyal Order of the Buffalo, of Dover; Rockaway Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men; and the Exempt Firemen.

Mr. Collins married (first), in 1884, Catherine Goddard CLUSS, born and educated in Paterson, New Jersey, died in February, 1907. She was a daughter of Philip A. and Catherine (CAMPBELL) CLUSS, both of Paterson, where he was a furniture dealer; both now deceased. Mr. COLLINS married (second) in 1909, Helen Louise, a daughter of Michael and Helen (GROVE) LYMAN, of Morristown. Children by the first marriage: Mollie C., married Herbert SCHEID, of Morristown, now manager of the SCHULTZ Novelty Company of New York City; Raymond Sidney, a member of the printing firm of COLLINS Brothers in Morristown, married Lydia RARICK, of Rockaway, and has one child: Catherine CLUSS; Ogden Stiles, of the firm of COLLINS Brothers of Morristown, married Jennie, a daughter of Nathaniel SPENCER, and has one son: Ogden Stiles; Sidney Jr., in the employ of the Morris County Press; LeRoy Bentley, was graduated in the class of 1914 from the Rockaway High School, and is now with his father; Philip Harold, still attending public school. By the second marriage there was one child: Helen Louise, born December 17, 1910.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)