Merchant of the first guild Petr Maksimovich Zolotarev was personally known to Emperor Nicholas I. By his decree, Zolotarev received the title of commercial advisor, which allowed him to engage in wholesale trade both in Russia and abroad. Merchants of the first guild, whose rank was equivalent to that of a general, could own large private enterprises on par with nobles by the decree of Catherine the Great. Their capital ranged from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles in gold, and they were exempt from duties, state service, and conscription, receiving various benefits and loans. The tax they paid was only 1 percent of the declared capital.

The Zolotarev family descended from the famous Kaluga master, silver coin engraver Maxim Kuzmich Zolotarev, who also engaged in trade and owned a shop in the silver row. His sons, Petr and Ivan Zolotarev, became prominent industrialists and merchants, trading in Kaluga, St. Petersburg, and Germany. Their business began with a small ironworks on the banks of the Pesochonka River, organized in 1744. Over time, metal production developed, and by the mid-18th century, the brothers owned several small smelting plants. Later, due to a decline in production, they switched to manufacturing cloth, paper, and bristles. Their factories, in partnership with merchant Borisov, produced goods worth 60,000 rubles a year, and the workforce reached 200 people. By the early 20th century, the Pesochensky factory had become a large enterprise with up to 1,000 workers and an annual output of 500,000 rubles.

The Zolotarev brothers were respected and wealthy individuals in Kaluga. Petr Maksimovich Zolotarev became the city mayor in 1814. Despite his titles and ranks, he wore long hair and a beard, dressed in caftans, and had a gloomy appearance. His popularity was so great that his portraits hung in Berlin offices. Zolotarev earned respect by repaying a debt of 200,000 rubles in Berlin in 1812 with a full gold ruble when Russian money sharply fell in value.

Zolotarev was personally known to Nicholas I, and by the Highest Permission dated August 10, 1815, the Tsar recognized his merits by granting him the title of commercial advisor. His acquaintance with the royal family is confirmed by a marble plaque in the Zolotarev house, mentioning visits from members of the royal family in 1816 and 1817.

The Zolotarev brothers are also known for their philanthropy. They supported the Khlyustin establishments founded in the early 19th century, and in 1824, Ivan Maksimovich Zolotarev donated his house for a city hospital and contributed 50,000 rubles in donations. Later, this house housed a home for the insane, and the hospital was moved to a new building.

The Zolotarevs owned many houses in Kaluga. The most famous is their estate in Zavershye, which is considered a monument of Russian classicism. This house was built in the late 18th century and adorned with bas-reliefs from ancient Greek epics. In the late 19th century, the house was sold by the heirs and became a notary office until nationalization in 1919.

Much about the fate of Petr Maksimovich Zolotarev remains unknown, including the date of his death and burial place. Historians suggest that he is buried in St. Petersburg. His brother Ivan Maksimovich died on January 30, 1831, and his wife Anastasia Ivanovna on December 5, 1825. Both are buried in the Monastery of St. Lawrence.