George Knapp Collins (1837 - 1931)

Born 15 Apr 1837 in Spafford, Onondaga, New York, United States

Died 2 Aug 1931 at age 94 in Skaneateles, Onondaga, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Matthew Thompson [send private message]

Biography

Capt. George K. Collins, 94, war veteran and lawyer, dies at Skaneateles Home

Authority on Surrogate Court work retired 10 years ago

Capt. George Knapp Collins, 94, of 300 Midland Avenue, Civil War veteran and oldest member of the New York State Bar Association, died at his summer home at Skaneateles yesterday morning.

Captain Collins, who was considered an authority on Surrogate Court work, retired from active practice 10 years ago. He passed his summers at Skaneateles; his residence there, built more than 51 years ago, was said to be the first on Skaneateles Lake.

He was the son of Dr. John and Mary Ann Collins and was born at Spafford on April 15, 1837. His father, a physician and surgeon died when he was 16 and he came to Syracuse following his father's death with his mother and two younger brothers.

Captain Collins was graduated from the Syracuse high school in 1858 after alternating with his school work and outside work which he did to pay for his schooling and to assist in the support of the family. Charles O. Roundy, brother of Mrs. Collins was principal of the school at the time of his graduation.

He entered the law office of D. & D. F. Goit after his graduation but soon after enlisted in the Army and served during the Civil War. He was mustered into the service on Sept. 18, 1862 as a first lieutenant in Company I, 149th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry.

He served nearly two years and at the close of the war was named a captain for meritorious service. He participated in all the battles and skirmishes of the army on the Potomac and the army of the Cumberland except the battle of Ringgold.

Captain Collins was wounded at Chancellorsville and again at Lookout Mountain. He saw service at Gettysburg and Wauhatchie and was discharged after the battle of Lookout Mountain because of his wounds.

After his discharge from the army he resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1856 (sic). He had his law offices in the Bastable Building until it burned in February, 1923, and then moved to an adjoining building which he owned.

During his 30 years of legal practice Captain Collins appeared as counsel in only one criminal action. A friend, a farmhand, was charged with the murder of a farmer in Otisco. The body of the farmer was found near where the farmhand was working and he was charged with the crime when authorities found blood on his clothing.

At the trial Captain Collins claimed his client had been sawing logs during the day of the crime and that blood on his clothing was that of a pig and not of a human being. A microscopic examination of the clothing revealed this fact and the man was acquitted.

Captain Collins was a personal friend of General Slocum and Captain Collins wrote the "History of Spafford," which was used in the book of the history of the county. He was the author of several other books and he took great interest in genealogical research work.

On June 9, 1928 on the 70th wedding anniversary of Captain and Mrs. Collins a telegram of congratulations was received from Governor Alfred E. Smith.

Captain Collins was a past commander of Root Post, G.A.R.; past president of the Central New York Microscopical Club, member of the Nation Microscopical Society for 15 years, grand treasurer of the Royal Arcanum and a companion of the Loyal Legion, New York Commandery.

He was the author of the history of his regiment which was entitled "Memoirs of the 149th Regiment, New York volunteer Infantry, Third Brigade, Second Division, 12th and 20th Army Corps". He was one of the founders and life member of the Onondaga Historical Society.

Surviving are three daughters, Miss Grace Virginia Collins, Mrs. Helen Collins Megrew and Mrs. Elizabeth Collins Teall, two grandchildren, William Wolcott Wiard, Jr., and Mrs. James Martin Arthur of Plainfield, N.J.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at the family home in Midland Avenue by the Rev. Dr. Henry H. Hadley, rector of St. Pauls Episcopal Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.^[1]

Biography retrieved from Find-A-Grave^[2]

Captain George Knapp Collins, otherwise known as "Collins, G.K." to many historians and family researchers, is the author of Spafford, Onondaga, County, New York and the source of much information regarding the old town between Otisco and Skaneateles Lake.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Syracuse Herald, Monday Evening August 3, 1931, page 4
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84370495/george-knapp-collins : accessed 31 August 2021), memorial page for Capt George Knapp Collins (15 Apr 1837–2 Aug 1931), Find a Grave Memorial ID 84370495, citing Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Diane LM (contributor 47306054) .
3. ↑ Collins, G. K. (1902). Spafford, Onondaga County, New York. United States: Onondaga Historical Association.

• https://www.fold3.com/memorial/659929660/george-k-collins-civil-war-stories
• Kristopher D. White and Chris Mackowski, Stay and Fight it Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, Culp's Hill and the North End of the Battlefield (El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie, 2023), xvii.