Henry W. Collier
Henry Watkins Collier ( born January 17, 1801 Lunenburg County, Virginia; † August 28, 1855 in Bailey's Springs, Alabama) was an American lawyer and politician ( Democratic Party) and the 14th Governor of Alabama.
Early years and political rise
Henry W. Collier was taught mainly in South Carolina. In 1818 he then moved with his parents James and Elizabeth Collier in the Alabama Territory. He studied law in Nashville, Tennessee and in 1822 admitted to the bar in Alabama. Collier then opened his own firm in Huntsville and later became a partner in a business venture in Tuscaloosa. He decided in 1827 to pursue a political career and was elected to the Senate from Alabama. The following year he was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court, where he worked until 1832 then. Governor Clement Comer Clay put him back in 1836 as a judge. He was even in 1837 's Public judges ( Chief Justice ) and served in that position twelve years.
Governor of Alabama
Collier was in 1849 nominated by the Democratic Party for the office of the Governor of Alabama. He was then elected in 1849 and sworn in on August 8, on 17 December 1849. Three years before he took office, the state capitol was burned in Montgomery. Now it was rebuilt during his tenure.
Collier was a proponent of prison reform. He also promoted the establishment of textile mills in the state as well as better management service and a fair financing of education. During his tenure, was also founded the Alabama Historical Society, and approved the Alabama Hospital for the insane. The Compromise of 1850 was the most important point of Colliers term of office, which was widely recognized even beyond the subsequent secession addition. Collier was elected on August 4, 1851 for a second term, but resigned already on 20 December 1853 by his office.
Further CV
Collier was a seat in the U.S. Senate offered, but he rejected this off and settled in Bailey's Springs, where he died on 28 August 1855. He was married to Mary Ann Battle. They had three children together.