Donald Collins

The name “Collins” is all over downtown Caribou. There is a Collins Street, a Collins pond, and most significantly the S.W. Collins Company.

The family has been in Caribou for five generations. So has the family business, a lumber, building material and hardware supplier. Established in 1844, it supplies both the area carpenters and the do-it-yourselfers.

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins grew up in this Northern Maine town. Now she lives in Bangor. She is running for a third term in the U.S. Senate against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen.

The Collins’ are a family of lumber, potatoes and public service. Both of Collins’ parents served as mayor of Caribou, and Susan’s dad, Donald Collins, spent nine years in the Legislature. He was part of the “Gang of 13” who, in 1991, shut the state down over the Worker’s Compensation issue.

The family business is in the hands of Sam Collins, Susan’s younger brother. Gregg Collins, another brother, is vice-president and in charge of their Presque Isle store. They also have a store in Houlton.