JOSEPH H. COLLINS, A.B., A.M., Superintendent of Schools and Secretary for the Board of Education for the city of Springfield. It is generally conceded that the future hope of our Nation lies in the schools of today. How necessary is it then, that our educational system shall be in charge of men of practical experience, both as students and instructors, and having a deep regard for the moral bearing as well as the intellectual training of the school room. It is well for the rising generation of Springfield that this is true of the Board of Education and particularly of the Superintendent of the Schools.

Mr. Collins was born January 5, 1851, in Scotland County, Mo., and grew to maturity under the roof of his parents, John and Eliza (Buskirk) Collins. He pursued his advanced studies in the LaGrange College at LaGrange, Mo., being graduated in the class of 1875 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and receiving the degree of Master of Arts from the same college in 1878. Soon after his graduation the young man spent a year as a tutor in his Alma Mater, afterward being elected Superintendent of Schools at Canton, Mo. After holding that position three years he came to Springfield in August, 1880, to take charge of the First Ward, now the Palmer School. His faithfulness and efficiency during the ensuing three years led to his election as Principal of the High School, in which capacity he served for five years. He was then elected to his present position and is now beginning the third year of his service as City Superintendent. He devotes himself with sedulous attention to the oversight of the schools, laying aside everything which will interfere with that work.

The number of school buildings in Springfield is eleven, and eighty teachers are employed, whose salaries range from $30 to $160 per month. The maximum attendance in the intermediate department is fifty and in the primary, sixty pupils in each room. The total enrollment of scholars is three thousand six hundred and fifty-nine and the average attendance during the last ten months was tow thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight. The careful consideration of the needs of this large number of pupils, the oversight of the work being done by the corps of teachers, and the consultations with instructors and patrons fill the hours with busy labor which is conscientiously performed. The efficiency of the school system of the city is being increased, and each year sees greater practical results in the increase of interest and riper thought of the pupils.

Soon after his graduation Mr. Collins was given the position of office editor on the American Baptist then published in LaGrange, Mo., but no in St. Louis. He did considerable office and local work for the publication, but for the past fourteen years has been interested only in educational matters. He was one of the first stockholders in the Springfield Homestead Loan Association and has recently been appointed a Director. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and for seven or eight years prior to 1890, when he resigned, was Superintendent of the Sunday school. He is numbered in the ranks of the Democratic party but is rather independent in his use of the right of suffrage.

At the bride's home in LaGrange, December 23, 1875, Mr. Collins was untied in marriage with Miss Julia, daughter of Dr. J. A. and Elizabeth (Prentiss) Hay, formerly of this city. Mrs. Collins is educated and refined, and well fitted to take her place with her husband in the cultured society of the city. The father of our subject is a native of Kentucky, bur removed to Missouri in 1835. He owned a farm upon which he made his home about twenty years. He was formerly Judge of the County Court of Scotland County. He now lives retired from active labor, enjoying the comforts suited to his declining years. His faithful companion is now deceased.