The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-31

(Tho Mayor Of PetersburgJ
his classical education ne entered the
law School al Harvard University, cam
bridge Mass. simon Greenleef and Judge
Kent being the law professors. judge
story having just then died and EDWARD
Everett, president.
Completing his law studies, taking the
degree OF L. l.. b., he entered upon
tbc uractice of law with his father III
this city. This was about six months De-
fore he attained his majority.
HIS BRIDE.
During this year Mr.. Collier married
Mics zen Gee. OF the county Of Prince
George. Va. After practicing a year
or more in this city and the adjoining
counties Mr.. collier moved to his plan
fation I'm Prince George county-sheil
tanks notable place, formerly owned
Inv The late Edmund Rufiin, Esq, and at
which place was edited and published by
him the "Farmcr's Register MI kuilih
Is well remembered as having ired the
first gun Of the Confederacy on loil
sumpior S. c., seeking that honor lhlS
farm was also notable as a place on
which shell mari was found abundantly
on the surface and experimenting useu
as n fertilizer by Mr.. Rufiin
After a residence Of about "a year In
Tho country Mr.. collier was nominated
nv the Democratic party or the lWo
counties of Prince George ana Surry lot
The House OF Delegates and was duiy
elected Mr. Collier was elected sec
oud time 10 the same office. During ths
time Mr.. Collier was appointed and ouiy
commissioned az Major in the militia, OF
which Francis NJ. Boykin, OF Smithneid
was the commanding general
In 1857, the year Of the memorabie
AZ the instance OF his father whose
health rendered him unable to attend to
his large practice, moved back to TINS
city. again entering into partnership with
his father.
IN POLITICS.
shortly after his return to Petersburg
he was elected 60 the House OF Delegates
from this city and was member OF the
LEGISLATURE at the time that secession
asserted itself and the Confederacy
sprung into existence. During THIS time
the Virginia convention assembled which
although largely anti-secession. under the
impulse of Iincoln's call for Virginias
quota, OF troops TO put down secession
passed the ordinance Of secession.
Major Collier was fully In accord with
the sentiments Of an overwhelming ma
iority OF the people Of Virginia and was
opposed to secession, but under the same
influence that forced the convention TO
mass the ordinance, to-wit that If Vir-
ginia must fight. she would fight not her
own kith and kin, but those who were not
in sentiment and sympathy with her, was
forced likewise 10 favor Nirginia's with
drawal from the Union, while these
events were transpiring. Virginia having
passed her ordinance Of secession, His
Excellency. John Letcher. then Governor
OF Virginia. organized the State troops
and invited to their command Major
General Walton Gwyn. an emminent
Civil Engineer as well as trained sol
der. ssal ~
AS A SOLDIER.
Major Collier proffered his services TO
General Gwyn, who was passing through
Petersburg TO take the command of the
State troops at Norfolk, Va. and was
offered the position OF assistant Adju-
tant-Genoral on his staff with the rank
Of Lieutenant Colonel. which he accepted
and served on his stan until the next
meeting of the General Assembly of Vir-
ginla, to which he had been reelected
from the city of Petersburg while in the
service al Norfolk. The soldier boys had
then begun 20 learn that II was important
20 have friend at Richmond and hence
this election OF one Of their comrades in
arms.
During the term OF his legislative SER
vices. a vacancy occurred In the Congress
sionaI representation OF the Petersburg
district in the Confederate Congress, oc-
casioned by the resignation OF Hon.
Roger A. Pryor 10 enter the military
service OF the Confederacy Colonel
Collier was elected TO fill that vacancy.
The candidates FOR this position were
Hon James A. Seldom. Hon. Il. X.
Meade and Colonel Collier Dkssng the
canvass Hon. II. X. Meade died leaving
the other two gentlemen In the field
the election rcsulting IN tho choice OF
Colonel Collier.
IN THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
rms session OF the Congress OF the
Confederate States. being the first after
virginia had east In her fortunes with
tho Southern States. was held In tho city
OF Richmond Va. During all this period
Colonel Collier was a member Of the
Common Council OF the city OF Peters
burg. At the second election OF reprcsen-
tatlves from this Petersburg District,
held In 1853, Judge Thomas s. Gholson.
then on tho bench. his circuit embracing
substantially the same counties and city
with the Congressional District. was the
opposing candidate 10 Colonel Collier.
BY reason OF tho difficulties OF the pos
fai service the votes OF the soldiers in
camp were much delayed, and some never
received. The returns gave his opponent
the certificate OF election. A contest was
tnaururated. but abandoned under the ex-
agencies Of the war. At this Junctme
great preparations were being made for
The defence OF Petersburg. and the ranks
OF the army being sorcly depleted by the
fatalities OF so many holly contested and