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Biography - Robert McCollum

ROBERT McCOLLUM, Sheriff, Louisville, was born in Washington County, Ind., November 17, 1830, and is a son of James McCollum (deceased), a native of Crab Orchard, Ky., and born in the year 1801. James McCollum's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject was brought to Clay County by his parents in 1833. He was brought up on the farm and attended the common schools. In March, 1853, he married Mary E., daughter of Joseph Rader, a native of Virginia. Mrs. McCollum was born in East Tennessee. They have eight children - Jonathan T., Thomas J., Frances C., America, Gladys, Minnesota, George B. and Tennessee Ann. Mr. McCollum held the office of Supervisor for Hoosier Township for four years, and was elected Sheriff of Clay County in November, 1882. He owns a farm of 250 acres in Hoosier Township, and is a farmer by profession. When the McCollums came to this county, there were no mills here, and they were obliged to go to Vincennes, Ind., to obtain their grinding, a distance of sixty miles. Our subject well remembers many pioneer incidents. His father took him when a boy to the Circuit Court, both riding the same horse. They rode up to the door of the courthouse and sat there on the horse and witnessed the proceedings, the house being too small to admit any spectators. He also well remembers the first bridge built across the Little Wabash at Louisville. Mr. McCollum is a member of the Baptist Church.

Transcribed by Laurel White from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, page 152.


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