When Joseph John Collins was born on 28 September 1851, in Holmes, Mississippi, United States, his father, Caul John Collins, was 29 and his mother, Mary (Peggy) Harrison, was 25. He married Isabella Mauenry ( Minnie) Bell on 6 November 1883, in Wilson, Texas, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Justice Precinct 4, Gonzales, Texas, United States in 1900. He died on 5 September 1910, in Kenedy, Karnes, Texas, United States, at the age of 58, and was buried in Kenedy, Karnes, Texas, United States.