Harold R. Collier

Who was Harold R. Collier?

Harold Reginald Collier was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois.

Collier was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. He attended and graduated from Morton Junior College in Cicero, Illinois. After earning his degree, he was hired by the publishing company that created Life Magazine and worked in the editorial department. In 1941, he began what would be a ten year career as a marketing executive for Match Corporation of America. In 1951, he was elected to the Berwyn, Illinois city council and also began a new career as public relations director for McAlear Manufacturing.

In 1952, Collier was an unsuccessful candidate for Illinois Secretary of State. In 1953, he was elected as mayor of Berwyn. In 1957, Collier won an election for a seat in Congress. He was a longtime member of the House Ways and Means Committee. A fiscal conservative, he was a strong advocate of a balanced budget. Collier was admired by colleagues in both parties, as he was excellent at finding compromise ground between two sides on issues.

In 1975, Collier retired from Congress. He moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he died on January 17, 2006.