In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1912) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1851
From The book of St. Louisans; a biographical dictionary of leading living men of the city of St. Louis and vicinity (1912), Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (v. 1) (1899)
Collins, Robert Eli, lawyer, was born January 7, 1851, in the village of Florence, Pike County, Illinois, son of Monroe R and Esther (Baker) Collins, residents of St. Louis, who were sojourning temporarily in Illinois at the time of their son's birth. He was reared in St. Louis, and after pursuing an academic course of study at Washington University, went to Lexington, Virginia, and was graduated from Washington and Lee University with the degree of bachelor of arts in the class of 1872. Immediately aíter his graduation from college he began the study of law under the preceptorship of the eminent St. Louis lawyer, Britton A. Hill, attending the regular courses of lectures also at the St. Louis Law School. When admitted to the bar hg at once formed a professional co-partnership with James L. Carlisle, the late postmaster of St. Louis, and began the practice of law as head of the firm of Collins & Carlisle. At a later date he associated himself with his old law preceptor, and until 1881 was junior member of the firm of Hill & Collins. In the year last named he associated himself with Dorsey А. Jamison and established the firm of Collins & Jamison, which is still in existence, and is now numbered among the older law firms of the city. Although a manof fortune, he hasdevoted himself zealously to his professional labors, has been identified with much important litigation, and has taken a prominent position at the bar of the city which has been his home since childhood. His private business and professional duties have engrossed his entire attention, and having no taste for public life he has never held or sought any public office. Although nominally a member of the Democratic party, he has belonged to that large and constantly growing class of professional and business men whose consciences are not in the keeping of any political party, and whose liberal views and independence of action cause them to hold the balance of power in American politics He is a Methodist churchman, and is a steward of St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of St. Louis. He became a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 163, of the Masonic order, in St. Louis in 1880, and has held all the offices in that lodge Since 1884 he has been a member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and has served as chairman of its most important committees, standing at the head oí the ways and means committee for many years, and during the years 1896-7 acting as chairman of the committee on jurisprudence, which position he still holds. Mr. Collins married, in 1873. Miss Ida К. Bishop, of Baltimore. Mrs. Collins’ father resided for many years in Worcester County, on the eastern shore of Магу- Jand. where he conducted a large merchandising business, and served also as sheriff of his county. Two children have been born of their union, of whom Esther C. Collins is now the wife of Edwin К. Chappell. Ida Кае Collins died when a child nine years of age.
Collins, William И. merchant, was born November 7. 1832, in Springfield, Massachusetts. and died in St. Louis, November 18, 1898. His parents were Henry and Hannah (Hall) Collins, worthy people. who gave the son careful industrial and educational training, After finishing his studies in the public schools of Springfield he went to work as a boy in a drug store of that сиу, of which Benjamin К. Bliss was the proprietor. and remained in the employ of that gentleman for five years. Having thoroughly learned the drug business, he then came west and established himself in the drug trade ar Paris, Illinois. He was successful in that venture. and being an ambitious, as well as an energetic and enterprising, merchant, he came to St. Louis to enter a larger field, in the year 1863. Here he purchased of Henry Blaksley the business which that gentleman had previously соп- ducted, and associating with himself his brother. L. E. Collins, formed the drug firm of Collins Bros. Subsequently this firm engaged in the wholesale drug business, conducting it successfully until 1892. He then retired from this branch of merchandising. but continued the manufacture of certain proprietary medicines and compounds which had gained a wide popularity, and continued to five close attention to this business as long as he Hved, and died suddenly while at his office giving attention to his affairs. He and his brother were the builders of one of the largest drug establishments of the West, and his business career was an eminent! ful. as well as an honorable. one.
success- He was a man of indommable energy and perseverance, абаз.
< їп manner and manifesting always а ventes regard tor his word. wh i spired confidence jn all into business relations r, И
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Who Were with him,
Hong а man of one e
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.
COLLINS, Bobert E., lawyer; born, Florence, Pike Co., Ill., Jan. 7, 1851; son of Monroe R. and Esther (Baker) Collins; descendant of Lindell family of St. Louis; educated Washington University, St. Louis, and Washington and Lee University, Virginia, graduating with degree of A.B. from latter institution, 1371; studied law in the St. Ionis Law School >nd in office of Britton A. Hill. St. Loois; married, Baltimore, Md., Dec. IS, 1873, Ida Kate Bishop; two children: Estber C. (Mrs. Edwin B. Chappell) and Ida Kate (deeeasda). Admitted to Missouri bar, 1873, and since in practice in courts of Missouri and federal courts; member successively of firms of Hill & Collins (Britton A. Hill), Collins & Carlisle (James L. Carlisle), Collins & Jamison <D. A. Jamison), and Collins & Chappell
(Edwin R. Chappell). President and counsel Kirknood Trust Co.; president and treasurer Collins Realty Co.; vice president and treasurer Lindell Real Estate Co., Joliet Real Estate Co. Member St. Louis Bar Association, Phi Kappa Psi. Formerly member St. John 's Methodist Episcopal Church, South (board of stewards), now Kirkwood Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mason. Recreation: amateur mechanic. OfGce: 702 Rialto Bliig. Residence: Kirkwood, Mo.
OOLIJNS, Thomas Slcheson, flro insurance; born, St. Louis, Sept. 16, 1860; son of Martin and Mary Alice (Crabbe) Collins; educated in public and private schools, St. Louis, Vermont Episcopal Institute, Burlington, Vt., and Washington Universitv, scientific course; married, St. Louis, 1891, Sara K. Ferguson (now deceased); one daughter: Sarah Dorothy; married, 2d, June 1, 1911, Grace S. Parmly, of Chicago. On leaving school in 1878 entered the insurance agency established by father, Martin Collins, in Ajiril, 1867, and in 1891 became a partner in the firm, which is now known as Martin Collins, Sou & Co., general fire insurance agents. Member St. Louis Insurance Agents' Association. Member Bustnees Men 's League, Civic League. Scottish Bite Mason (32° Clubs: St. Louis, Uoonday, St. Louis Country. Office: Pierce BIdg. Besidence: 52.7 Clara Ave.
OOUUAS, Norman Jay, editor Colman's Rural World; 1827-1911; see Vol. 1906.
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COMPTON, Qorge B., president Compton & Sons Lithographing and Printing Co.; born. St. Louis, Feb. 11, 186.'ii son of Richard J. and Ella Louise (Cleveland) Compton; educated in Alton (In.) public schools, and Illinois College, Jacksonville, In.; married, Nov.
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OOMPTON, WUUun Randolph, president William R. Compton Co., investment bankers; born, Lotkport, N. Y.,.lune 27, 18G6; son of james Robinson and Frances Hope (Lewis) Compton, the father being a pioneer banker of Lockport and for over fifty years cashier of Niagara County National Bank of that city; ancestors settled in New Jersey from Knffland, llioO; public school education; married, Dayton, 0., Sept. 24, 188U, Caroline Louise Parker; three children: Randolph, William Randolph and Frances Hope. Began active career as office boy in a factory of native town, at (2.50 per week; later received banking training under father; located in St. Jo- Hepb, Mo., as clerk at eighteen, in wholesale dry goods establishment of Tootle*Hosea Co.; embarked in banking business on own account, at Arlington, Kan., 1886 (the youngest cashier in the United States), and conducted the business for two j'ears; bought interest in bank at Macon, Mo., ISSS, which managed for ten years, during which period acted as agent for Eastern capital in securing loans on Missouri farms. Gradually became interested in municipal bonds; resigned as cashier Bank of Macon, 1898, and moved to St. Louis, 1908; now president William E. Compton Co., investment bankers, with branch office in Chicago. Member Business Men 's League, St. Louis. Democrat. Presliyterian. Director Y, M. C. A. of St. Louis. Scottish Rite Mason; member Tuscan Lodge, A, F. & A. M.; AscatoQ Commandery, Knights Templars. Clubs: Noonday, St. Louis, Bellerive Country (St. Louis), Union League (Chicago). Recreations; literature, golf and motoring. Officer Mel"' ohantB-Laclcde BIdg. Residence: 18 Kingsbury Place.
COMSTOOK, Thomas OTlflwold, physician, deceased; see Vol. 1906.
OOKANT, Theodore P., president Sllgo Iron Store Co.; born Irasburgh, Vt., Aug. 5, ls-'50; educated in public schools. Regan business career in employ of O. D. Hall & Co., later becoming salesman, and in 1877 that Arm was merged in the Sligo Iron Store Co., for which corporation became traveling salesman and later secretary, succeeding, I90S, to present position as president of the company, jobbers of iron. Clnbs: Mercantile, Qlen Echo Country. Office: 1301 N. 6th St. Residence: 4479 Washington Ave.
CONDIE, dBtence Wuner, vice president Condie-Neale Glass Co.; born, Philadelphia, Apr. 16, ]8T7; son of Thomas Douglas and Mary Clara (Huated) Condie; educated in public schools of Philadelphia and St. Louis, and St. Louis High School, 1893; married, San Jose, Cal., Aug. 0, 1902, Mary Standiah Fitman; two children: Mary Virginia, Clarence Douglas. After leaving school traveled in this country and abroad. With Smith & Davis Manufacturing Co., 1894-98; resigned to fill duty with National Guard in Spanish-American war. Returned to St. Louis, 1898, and engaged with St. Louis branch Pittsburgh Plate Class Co., to 1901; then at general offices of company, Pittsbnrgh, until 1902; agent same company, Wheeling, W. Va., 1902- 03. Returned to St. Louis, 1903, became secretary Condie-Neale Glass Co., and vice president since 1909. Also vice president Building Industries Association. Member Civic Iieague, Zoological Society. Received medal from United States Congress for service with Battery A, Missouri volunteers, Spanish-American war, Porto Rican Campaign, 1S9S. City treasurer Ferguson, Mo., 1901. Republican. Episcopalian. Mason (32° Shriner. Clubs: Bellerive Country, City. Recreations: golf, hunting and fishing. Office: 2500 N. Broadway. Residence: 5379 Cabanne Ave.
OONDIE, Hrabect Donglaa, president Condie-Neale Glass Co.; born, Philadelphia, Pa., June 17, 1873; son of Thomas D. and Mary Clara (Hustei) Condie; educated in public schools and Park Grammar School, Philadelphia, Central High School, St. Lonis, and special course in chemistry at Missouri Medical College; married, Ferguson, Mo., Nov. 3, 1897, Sallie Case King, of Chicago; children: Donglas King, Bertha Botsford, Margaret Hallowell, Herbert Douglas, Jr., and Churchill Clarke. Entered employ of P. A. Drew Glaas Co., St. Louis, October, 1891, and worked through every position in office up to general manager, until that company sold out to the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., when removed to Milwaukee and became assistant manager in that city of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.; later removed to Pittsburgh upon opening of the company 's branch in that city, and was manager of its glass department for two years, until organizing in St. Louis the Condie-Neale Glass Co. in February, 1903, of which has since been president; director Broadway Savings Trust Co.; vice president Overland Automobile Co. Republican. Was member of Battery A, St. Louis, 1893-96. Ran on Citizens' ticket for mayor of Ferguson, 1905. Member Pennsylvania Society of St. Louis, Civic League. Mason (32° member Missouri Con-
, Google sUtoT7, Moolali Temple, Mistic Bhrine. Episcopalian; secretary Vestry St. StephcD 'a GhDreh, Ferguson, Mo. dubs: Aero, Auto, City, St. Louis, Noonday, BeDerive Country. Favorite recreations: eolf and motoring. Office: Broadway and Bel ton St. Besidencer "Kinghnrat," FergnsoD, Uo.
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OOHLIHG, Orrille Caleb, photographer; bom, Forrest, Livingston Co., Ill., Mar. 9, 1870; son of George Lewis and Victoria (Freeman) Conkling; educated in public schools of Atlantic, la., to thirteen; married at Omaha, Neb., Nov. 2, 1892, Cora Af. Rotton. Began active career in employ of photographer at Atlantic, la., 1883; removed to Omaha, 1886, and followed same business; located at St. Louis, 1896, and was connected with Ouerin k Co., 1896-1901; since in business on own account. Member Zoological Society, St. Louis Photographers' Society. Hepublicau. Clubs: Arcadia Country, Midland Valley Country, Adonis Tenuis, St. Louis Railway. Recreations: fishing, tennis and billiards. Office and Residence: 3S26 Olive St.
As printed in The book of St. Louisans; a biographical dictionary of leading living men of the city of St. Louis and vicinity (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Britton A. Hill James L. Carlisle (b. 1851) Jeremiah Fruin (b. 1831)
Their biographies name Robert E. Collins: Monroe R. Collins (b. 1827) Stuart Carkener
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.