1891 HISTORY OF CLARK & JACKSON CO., WI, pg. 333

SYLVESTER COLLINS, of section 36, Thorp Township, Clark County, was born in the district of Gaspy, Lower Canada, January 25, 1843, the son of James and Jane (Sweney) Collins, both natives of Canada. The parents had eleven children, six of whom are still living, viz: James, Ambrose, Francis, Charles, Philip and Sylvester. All live in Canada except Charles and Sylvester. The latter was engaged in farming and fishing in Canada until in October, 1868, when he came to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he first worked in the logging camps, continuing for fourteen years. He then came to Thorp for five and a half years. In the fall of 1883 he came to his present farm, where he first lived in an old shanty formerly used by parties when building the turnpike. Previous to this, however, he rafted lumber on the Chippewa River for the Northwestern Lumber Company, and also watched the camps. During this time, or previous to moving to Thorp, he returned to Canada, and remained one and a half years. He now owns eighty acres of good land, twenty-seven of which he has since cleared.

Mr. Collins was married, May 10, 1873, to Ada Garner, who was born in Marquette County, Wisconsin, September 23, 1852, the daughter of John Gardner, deceased. She was the youngest of fourteen children, seven of whom are now living, namely: Sarah, Elizabeth, Ambrose, Eliza, Jeffery, Ephraim and Ada. Both the father and mother were natives of Wayne County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Collins had four children, three now living: Miami E. (commonly called Amy), Katie E. and S. Berton. The eldest daughter is a teacher in district No. 3, Thorp Township. In his political views Mr. Collins is a Republican.