Los Angeles County
Biographies
DAVID CHAS. COLLIER
COLLIER, DAVID CHAS., Real Estate, San Diego, California, was born in a log cabin in the mining camp of Central City, Colorado, August 14, 1871, the son of David C. Collier and Mattie M. (Johnson) Collier. On his father’s side he comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, while on his mother’s there is English and New England stock. He married Ella Copley, January 1, 1896, at San Diego, and to them there have been born two children, David Copley and Ira Clifton Collier.
Mr. Collier began business life at an early age, fortified only by a high school education but endowed with the characteristics that make for success in the business world.
In March, 1885, before he had passed his fourteenth birthday, he entered the employ of the First National Bank of San Diego, whither his parents had moved the previous year. That was the beginning of an active life as banker, lawyer, railroad builder and territorial developer. He remained with the bank until October, 1886, then went to work in the law offices of Collier & Mulford, of which firm his father was senior partner. He remained there a year, then entered the California National Bank, with which he remained until July, 1888. He was next a clerk in the medical department of the Union Pacific Railroad at Denver, remaining there until 1890, when he returned to San Diego and his father’s law office. He resumed his studies and was admitted to the Bar August 21, 1891. He went into partnership with his father and was with him, through various changes in the firm personnel, until 1905, when he organized, with H. A. Howard, the Ralston Realty Company. The name was changed in 1908 to D. C. Collier & Co.
He has been prominent in the subdivision of large tracts into building lots and has been an important factor in the general development of the city of San Diego. He is an extensive property owner, and in addition is largely interested in gold and gem mining and onyx and marble deposits. He is also interested in oil and ranch lands.
One of the most conspicuous works in his career was the building of the Point Loma Railroad. He started this work in 1908, and when it was completed, early in 1909, sold it to J. D. Spreckels. Other companies of which he is president are the Western Investment Co. and the Santa Maria Land and Water Co.
Mr. Collier has been one of the most conspicuous men in he advancement of San Diego and is Director General of the Panama California Exposition, which will be held at San Diego in 1915. This is one of the most ambitious enterprises ever undertaken in San Diego and Mr. Collier has been the leading spirit in it. Another field in which he is a leader is aviation. He has personally directed three successful meets at San Diego, where the greatest flyers in the world participated.
Mr. Collier takes an active interest in politics, but has sought office only once. This was in 1902, when he made a spirited independent campaign for the Republican nomination for Congress, but was defeated. He was a Lieutenant Colonel on the staff of Governor Gillette of California from 1907 to 1910. He is ex-president and director of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Collier holds membership in the National Geographical Society, American Institute of Political Science, California Historical Society and American Forestry Association.
He holds memberships in the following clubs: New York A. C. and Rocky Mountain Club of New York, Pacific Union, Union League, Bohemian and Army and Navy Clubs of San Francisco, Jonathan Club, Los Angeles; Toltec Club, El Paso, Texas; Cuyamaca Club, San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego Rowing Club, Country Club and Cabrillo Club, San Diego; Coronado Country Club and Colorado Traffic Club, Denver.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 755,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2011 Joyce
Rugeroni.
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