John Edgar Collins
John Edgar Collins was born April 9, 1871, two miles south of Peebles. His father's name is John R. Collins, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Wright. He has a brother, the Rev. H. O. Collins, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is also a member. His only sister is Mrs. Robert Jackman. His training was such as the country school affords until he became a teacher at the age of eighteen. Teaching during the Winter and spending his Summers in study at the National Normal University, he was graduated from the Scientific Department of that institution in 1892 in a class of seventy-seven. The next year he was elected to the superintendency of the Peebles schools, which position he resigned in 1896 to accept a similar position in the West Union schools. He was four times unanimously elected to this position. At the time of his last re-election, in 1899, he was also elected to the superintendency of the Batavia schools, which place he accepted. This school has nine departments and one of the best High schools in Southern Ohio. Both when at Peebles and at West Union, Mr. Collins conducted a Summer Training School for Teachers, "The Tri-County Normal." As Principal of the schools for seven years, 1893 to 1899, he did much to advance the educational interests in Adams County. The total enrollment of the Tri-County Normal school under his management was over eight hundred, and more than eighty per cent, of the teachers actively engaged in school work in this county at this time (1900) received their training in his school. Kentucky sent a number of students to this school as did the several counties of Southern Ohio. Since graduating from the University, his one aim has been successful school work. For some time he has been doing post-graduate work at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and in 1896 and 1897, respectively, he received common and high school certificates from the Ohio State Board.
One of his most intimate friends and classmates in the Public schools speaks of him as follows: '"John Edgar Collins possesses some strong elements of character among which is his indomitable will and steadiness of purpose. Every undertaking in which he is interested is carefully planned beforehand. With him, there is no pensive 'It might have been.' Thought precedes action with him. He knows the end at the beginning. His school work is planned with such accuracy that he sees the result as he leads his pupils to it. By nature he is a teacher, and it is in the school that he is most at home. Another extraordinary feature which he possesses is his power to meet exigencies. At the most critical moment, he exercises the most deliberate judgment and meets opposition with the earnestness that brings the spoils into his hands. He is a man of resources. What he has become in the educational world is much the result of his own effort. A constant student, he has shown his power for mastery of thought best when studying for examinations or for special work. He acquires knowledge with but little effort and has proved himself a thoughtful, careful student, not only of books, but of men as well. In all his educational efforts, he has had the support of the best and most conscientious men. His powers as an educator and as an organizer have been proved not only by his public school work but by his successful training of hundreds of teachers in Normal school, as well. His aim is high and he will leave a record which will be characterized by earnestness and many brilliant acts."
He was married to Ina E. Treber, daughter of R. W. Treber, West Union, August 15, 1900. She is a graduate in music, elocution, and modern languages, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900