From the Lykens Register, May 17, 1900:
Death of Smallest Man in County
William Collier, probably the smallest man in statue [sic] in Dauphin County, measuring a fraction over three feet is dead. His sickness was only of a week’s duration, death resulting from pneumonia on Sunday night, at his home in Elizabethville. He was in his 50th year.
The deceased was a brother of A. F. Collier of this place, and a son of the late Daniel Collier, the latter who resided in Lykens at one time. Mr. Collier was born in Powell’s Valley and during his life, lived at home, dying a bachelor. In infancy he was afflicted with various diseases which retarded his growth, but his small figure was energetic and full of business. The elder Collier was at one time in the hotel business at Elizabethville. It was then that the father gave the son enough money to purchase a bushel of peanuts. This gave the little man a start and by saving his earnings he gradually engaged in business on a larger scale and eventually became associated with his father in the general store business. At one time he as ticket agent at Elizabethville and conducted a candy shop in the station. For the past five years he has lived retired.
Mr. Collier is survived by his mother, a sister and three brothers, Mrs. John Gruber of Harrisburg; Samuel band Ammon Collier of Elizabethville; and A. F. Collier of this place [Lykens].
The funeral took place yesterday at 2 o’clock, the services being conducted in the U. B. Church, Elizabethville, Rev. Miller officiating. Interment at Matter’s Church [Cemetery].
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Obituary from Newspapers.com.
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