Joel Walter Collins Sr.

Joel Walter Collins Sr. was born in Texas in October 1864 and moved to Leon County in 1876. He made his living as a merchant, running a grocery and general mercantile store with his son William Kenneth Collins. In 1926, his elder son J. W. Collins Jr. purchased a furniture store which became the family business. Collins served two terms on the Leon County Board of County Commissioners representing District 3 from 1907-1911 and was selected as Chairman of the Board from 1910-1911. During his time on the Board, he was instrumental in upgrading the County jail and improving County roads and bridges. He later served as a member of the school board for 20 years from 1913 to 1933. Collins died in January 1953 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery.