# Loren W. Collins *Minnesota jurist and politician (1838–1912)* Loren Warren "L.W." Collins (August 7, 1838 – September 27, 1912), an American politician and jurist, sat as a justice of the [[Minnesota Supreme Court]] from 1887 until he resigned in 1904.[^1] Before he joined the state's highest court, Collins held local office in [[St. Cloud]] and [[Stearns County, Minnesota]]. He was a member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] from 1881 to 1885 and a district court judge from 1885 to 1887. He sought the governorship of [[Minnesota]] in 1898 and again in 1904. He lost the Republican primary both times.[^1] ## Early life and education Collins was a native of Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1853 his family settled in Eden Prairie, in what was then [[Minnesota Territory]]. He read law in [[Hastings]], Minnesota.[^1] ## Career In the American Civil War, Collins was a soldier in the 7th Minnesota Infantry Regiment. He later practiced law in St. Cloud. He held office both as that city's mayor and as Stearns County's [[county attorney]].[^1] His legislative service in the state House ran from 1881 to 1885. He next held a seat on a Minnesota District Court bench from 1885 to 1887. In 1887 he moved to the Supreme Court and remained there until he resigned in 1904.[^1] Collins was twice a candidate for governor, in 1898 and in 1904. Neither campaign succeeded, and in neither year did he secure the Republican nomination in the primary.[^1] ## Personal life Collins died at his residence in [[Minneapolis]].[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Loren W. Collins* (retrieved 2026-10-26, revision 1365676084) — birth and death dates, early life, military service, local offices, legislative and judicial terms, gubernatorial candidacies, and place of death. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loren_W._Collins