Gilbert Collins

Gilbert Collins (August 25, 1846 – January 29, 1920) was an American jurist and Republican Party politician from New Jersey who served as the mayor of Jersey City from 1884 to 1886.

Early life and education Gilbert Collins was born on August 25, 1846, in Stonington, Connecticut to Daniel Prentice and Sarah R. Collins. His paternal ancestors immigrated from England and resided in New London, Connecticut prior to 1710. His father owned a manufacturing business with extensive interests in Stonington and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Collins was attending Yale University when his father died in 1862, leaving him a small inheritance. He withdrew from Yale to care for his family, and they relocated to Jersey City.

Legal and business career In Jersey City, Collins read law with rising lawyer Jonathan Dixon. He began practicing in 1869 as Dixon's law partner, and their partnership continued until Dixon was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Jersey by Joseph D. Bedle in 1875. Collins formed a new partnership with Charles L. Corbin in 1875 which continued until Corbin's death, when Collins partnered with Corbin's brother, William H. Corbin. Collins & Corbin was dissolved during Collins's service as a judge but re-established after his resignation. William H. Corbin died and Collins was joined by several junior partners, including William H. Corbin's son. As of 1917, it was considered one of the busiest law firms in New Jersey.

Mayor of Jersey City (188486) On March 25, 1884, Collins was nominated for mayor of Jersey City on the Citizens Association ticket. He was also nominated by the city Republicans. Despite the strong Democratic lean of the city, Collins easily defeated John D. McGill by 3,250 votes.

As mayor, Collins reasserted the city's right to the South Cove basin, defeating claims by the state of New Jersey and the American Dock & Improvement Company, which operated the land, that a prior land grant from the state to the city had been revoked by non-acceptance. During the litigation between Jersey City and American Dock & Improvement, Collins personally participated as counsel on behalf of the city.

Collins died of pneumonia in his home in Jersey City on January 29, 1920. He was buried in the family vault in Hilliard Cemetery in Stonington.