George Collier

As printed in 1899

Collier, George, in his day one of the wealthiest citizens of St. Louis, was born March 17. 1796. near Snowhill, Worcester County, Maryland. and died in St. Louis, July 18, 1852, He was the son of Peter and Catherine Collier, and was reared in Maryland He came west т 1818 and engaged in business with his elder brother in St. Louis, under the firm name of John Collier & Co. His brother died unmarried at an early age, and Írom him and his mother George Collier inherited a considerable fortune. He afterward became identified with various manufacturing and other interests in St. Louis, among them being the Colher White Lead Company, which is still in existence, and is widely known throughout the country. He acquired a large fortune and died a millionaire, when millionaires were comparatively few in number in the West. He was twice married; first, to Frances E. Morrison, daughter of James Morrison, of St. Charles, Missouri, and after her death to Sarah А. Bell, daughter of William Beil, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At his death Mr. Collier left five sons and two daughters.

Collins, Monroe Robataille, prominent in St. Louis for many years as а merchant and man of affairs, was born August 13, 1827, in. Ripley, Ohio, and died in this city, August 30, 1887. His parents were Eli and Mary (Barrett) Collins, who removed to St. Louis in 1847. The elder Collins was а successful general. merchant and pork-packer. who, prior to his removal from Ohio, had been prominent in the politics of that State. The son was educated in the schools of his native town, and came to this city an intelligent. well-informed young man, equipped by natural endowments, as well as early training. for a successful business career. His father had met with financial reverses shortly before his coming to St. Louis, and the young man began life here without other capital than brains. energy and a capacity for hard work. During the earlier years of his career he engaged in a small way in manufacturing enterprises with such success that the capital accumulated in this way enabled him later to embark in business as a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Miller & Co. Endowed by nature with the instincts which make men successful in trade, prosperity attended his merchandising operations, which he continued until he retired from business to give his entire time and attention to the management of his property interests and the estate inherited by his wife. In the early part of the year 1850 he had married Miss Esther Baker, a daughter of Robert Baker. of Berlin. Maryland, and a niece of Jesse С. and Peter Lindell, who were numbered among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of St. Louis. At the death of the Lindells, Mrs. Collins inherited a share of their states, and the responsibility of looking after this property devolved upon Mr. Collins. Severing his connection with the mercantile interests of the city in 1861, he was known thereafter as the representative of large property interests, and the estate committed to his care was largely increased in value as a result of his judicious guardianship and management. While he led a quiet life, he was recognized as a man of keen sagacity and superior capacity ior the conduct of affairs, especially accurate in his judgment of real estate and other property values, and in his forecasts of the growth and improvement of the city. Asa citizen he stood high in the community with which he was identified for forty years, his unquestioned probity and honorable business methods commending him to all with whom he was brought into contact in the relations of everyday life. In his young manhood he identified himself politically with the Whig party, and later became known as a staunch Democrat, but he was never active in political campaigns, and never sought or held

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (v. 1) (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.