JACOB COLLINS

    Jacob Collins, in 1829 or 1830, built himself a cabin and cleared a little place about two and one-half miles west of Essex, on the farm since owned by A. R. White.  He was not the owner of the land, only a squatter.  He also built a little blacksmith shop here and become the first blacksmith.  When not engaged at the forge or anvil, he was generally hunting game, at which he was very successful.  He finally sold his squatter's claim to Ebenezer Davis, who afterward removed to Washington Township and left for parts unknown.