John Alexander Collins was not just a railroad founder—he was a visionary in the early development of rail infrastructure in the American Midwest. In 1851, Collins spearheaded the creation of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad (C.H. & D.), which was incorporated to connect three rapidly industrializing Ohio cities. At the time, the region was experiencing economic transformation, and railroads were becoming essential for moving goods, people, and raw materials. Collins recognized the immense potential of this new form of transportation and committed his energy, capital, and expertise to making it a reality.
The C.H. & D. was among the first railroads to directly serve Dayton, placing the city on a competitive footing with other growing urban centers like Columbus and Cleveland. Under Collins’s leadership, the company developed routes that not only connected urban markets but also integrated with major trunk lines, allowing freight and passengers from Dayton access to the East Coast and the expanding western frontier. His knowledge as a former locomotive engineer provided a unique advantage: he was hands-on, technically adept, and understood the importance of efficient operations, durable equipment, and sound engineering.
Collins worked tirelessly to secure funding and public support for the C.H. & D., and he became known for his persuasive ability to rally both investors and local governments behind his projects. He also played a key role in recruiting engineers, planners, and skilled laborers needed to construct the track and infrastructure through sometimes difficult terrain. His commitment to quality and long-term planning helped set a precedent for rail development in the region.
By the late 1860s, the C.H. & D. had become a critical freight and passenger link between Cincinnati and the north-central Ohio corridor. It later connected with the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railway, creating a significant through-line to Chicago. Collins ensured that the C.H. & D. prioritized not only speed and efficiency but also safety and reliability—values that would influence future rail developments.
Collins served as president of the railroad for over two decades, overseeing its expansion and modernization. His tenure ended in 1872, but his legacy lived on as the C.H. & D. was eventually absorbed into the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)—one of the most influential rail systems in American history. His foresight helped pave the way for Dayton’s emergence as a transportation and manufacturing hub in the Midwest, and his work contributed directly to the region’s 19th-century economic growth.
In 1873, at the age of 58, Collins married Emma Jane Baird Turner, a woman who had previously been widowed twice. Although there is little documentation of their life together, records suggest they shared a comfortable and stable home life. The couple had no children. By this time, Collins had already cemented his place as a highly respected figure in both business and civic circles. He spent his final years in Covington, Kentucky, a location close to his railroad operations in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.
He died on January 26, 1878, of tuberculosis at the age of 62. In his will, he left detailed instructions for the creation of a monument to be erected at his gravesite 18 years after his death—an unusual and specific request that would become one of the most iconic markers in Dayton's Woodland Cemetery.
The result of his posthumous wish was the construction of the tallest monument in Woodland Cemetery—a 46-foot Barre granite obelisk that remains an architectural marvel to this day. Carved from a single piece of granite quarried in Barre, Vermont, the monument weighs over 24,000 pounds and cost Collins’s estate $10,000 at the time, equivalent to approximately $350,000 today.
The structure, installed in 1896, 18 years after his passing, stands as a tribute to his lasting contributions to American transportation. The monument’s size and craftsmanship reflect both his personal wealth and the significance of his role in the development of Ohio’s railroad industry. Inscribed on the obelisk are messages commemorating his achievements and values, making it not just a grave marker but a civic memorial.
John Alexander Collins is interred in Section 101, Lot 1521 of Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio, a cemetery known for its beauty and historic significance. Many of Dayton’s most prominent citizens are buried there, and Collins’s monument remains one of its most striking features. His gravesite continues to attract historians, rail enthusiasts, and tourists, who visit to pay homage to a man whose work quite literally laid the tracks for modern commerce and travel in Ohio.
Legacy
Although much of his work took place behind the scenes, John Alexander Collins played a critical role in shaping the infrastructure of the American Midwest. His efforts with the C.H. & D. Railroad not only revolutionized regional transportation but also supported the broader economic development of Dayton and surrounding cities. Through foresight, technical expertise, and relentless dedication, he left a legacy that continues to be recognized more than a century later. His name, though less widely known today, remains etched in the granite of Woodland Cemetery and in the story of America's expansion by rail.