William O. Collins

William Collins
Birth nameWilliam Oliver Collins
Born(1809-08-23)August 23, 1809
DiedOctober 26, 1880(1880-10-26) (aged 71)
AllegianceUnited States
Union
BranchUnited States Army
Union Army
Service years1861–1865
RankColonel, U.S.V
Commands7th Ohio Cavalry
11th Ohio Cavalry
Fort Laramie
ConflictsColorado War
Alma materAmherst College
Other workOhio State Legislator

William Oliver Collins (August 23, 1809 – October 26, 1880) was an American attorney, politician, and Union Army officer who served in the cavalry during the Civil War and in the American West. He is the namesake for Fort Collins, Colorado, and Casper, Wyoming's name is derived from his son, Caspar W. Collins, who died nearby shortly after William's command of a garrison there.