The Albion Iron Works Company, Limited
The Albion Iron Works Company, Limited, of Vancouver, is one of the largest manufacturing enterprises of British Columbia, the company being engaged in the manufacture of marine engines and boilers, logging engines, logging machinery, sawmill machinery and, in fact, everything which usually constitutes the output of large iron works. In 1902 the property was purchased by The Albion Iron Works Company, Limited, of Victoria, the president being Mr. John Bryden.
W. H. R. Collister, who is the manager of this large manufacturing enterprise in Vancouver, has throughout his business career been a practical mechanical engineer, with constantly developing ability and powers. He is a native of Liverpool, England, and a son of R. Collister, who came to British Columbia in 1875. He has been a prominent shipbuilder, is now Dominion government inspector of hulls and also surveyor for Lloyds.
W. H. R. Collister learned the shipbuilding trade with his father and with other prominent shipbuilders. He was educated in Liverpool and came to British Columbia with his family in 1875, settling in Victoria. He engaged in ship-building there and was for several years connected with the Albion Iron Works Company, Limited, of Victoria and Vancouver, resigning that position in order to take charge of the plant of the Albion Iron Works Company, Limited, in Vancouver. His intimate and thorough knowledge of the business has made him particularly well qualified for the control of this extensive industry and he has the full confidence of the business community as well as of the company which he represents.
Mr. Collister was married in 1887 to Miss E. C. Lewis, a daughter of ex-Mayor Lewis, of Victoria. Their union has been blessed with a son and a daughter, William K. and Ethel A. They have a nice residence in Victoria and have the high esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mr. Collister devotes his undivided attention to the management of the manufacturing plant and yet is deeply interested in public affairs concerning the welfare and progress of his adopted city.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 394-395.