Lorin C. Collins Jr.

Lorin Cone Collins Jr.
Member of theIllinois House of Representatives from the 7th district
In office 1878(1878)–1884(1884)
Succeeded by	John Humphrey
Personal details
Born	(1848-08-01)August 1, 1848 Windsor, Connecticut
Died	October 18, 1940(1940-10-18)(aged 92) Sawyer, Michigan
Resting place	Rosehill Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Profession	Attorney
Signature

Lorin Cone Collins Jr.(August 1, 1848 – October 18, 1940) was an American politician and judge fromConnecticut.A graduate ofNorthwestern University,Collins entered politics at a young age and was elected to theIllinois House of Representatives.He served three two-year terms in the lower house, the last of which he wasSpeaker of the House.Collins was appointed as the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1884, serving until 1893. In 1905, Collins was appointed to theSupreme Courtof thePanama Canal Zone.

Biography

Collins' grave at Rosehill Cemetery

Lorin Cone Collins Jr. was born inWindsor, Connecticuton August 1, 1848. His namesake father was a Methodist Episcopal preacher. In 1852, the Collinses moved toSt. Paul, Minnesota.Collins attended the preparatory school atOhio Wesleyan University.He moved toChicago, Illinois,when he was twenty, then attendedNorthwestern University.Collins studied law under Clarkson & Van Schaack in Chicago and was admitted to the bar in 1874.

Collins focused on politics for his career. In 1878, Collins was elected to theIllinois House of Representativesas aRepublican.He was re-elected in 1880 and 1882, serving asSpeaker of the Housefor the latter term. Collins was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1884, completing the unexpired term ofWilliam Henry Barnum.He was re-elected to this seat to five-year terms in 1885 and 1891. He resigned in November 1893 to focus on his private law practice and later moved toWheaton.Collins was appointed an associate justice to theSupreme Courtof thePanama Canal Zonein 1905.

Collins married Nellie Robb in 1873. They had three surviving children: George R., Lorin C. III, and Grace. He was active inFreemasonryand was aKnight Templar.He was also a member of theUnion League Club of Chicago.Collins died at George's home inSawyer, Michigan,on October 18, 1940, and was buried atRosehill Cemeteryin Chicago.