Part 2/9:
The son of a Confederate army officer, Collier grew up during a time of economic despair in post-Civil War Memphis. Despite his family's reduced circumstances, they maintained a degree of propriety, which influenced the young Barron. His parents named him after military figures, instilling in him a sense of pride. By age 16, he left school for the world of business, starting his career in the railroad sector, where his knack for soliciting cargo quickly emerged, marking the beginning of a series of successful ventures.