James McCollum (1792-1878)

James McCollum,

One of the oldest pioneers of Northern Clermont, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Bethuel Covalt, near Deerfield, Warren county, Ohio, on July 2, 1878. Mr. McCollum was born in a military fort near the mouth of the Little Miami River, Hamilton county, March 6, 1792, and was consequently in the eighty-seventh year of his age. To give a detailed history of the deceased, would be giving the history of Northern Clermont for the period of his life. We first find him peddling the Cincinnati Gazette, then known by the name of Liberty Hall – along the street of the city. He soon afterward came to Stonelick and in 1814 married Miss Eilzabeth Cowen, daughter of William Cowen, with whom he lived happily for about fifty-five years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, braving the unparalleled hardships of the northern campaign. Physically he was a man of great power of endurance and did more than his share in the general improvement of his section. The deceased became a member of the M. E. Church some fifty years ago and ever since has lived in accordance with its discipline. In early days his house was used as a place of worship in the absence of a regular public house of worship. He was a good husband, a kind father, gentlemanly in all his associations, and a highly esteemed citizen. Though a man of no educational advantages, his latter days were spent in reading and keeping himself informed in all the advancements of society.                      “R”

• Clermont County, Ohio, Marriage records 1800-1821 vol 1, page 45 at https://familysearch.org/
  James McCollum and Elizabeth Cowen married on 19 Jun 1814 in Stonelick Twp, Clermont County, Ohio by James Hill, J.P.
• James McCollum (26 images) War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files," fold3.com
• James McCollum gravestone photo at McCollum Cemetery, Wayne Twp, Clermont County, Ohio

by
Robin Holcomb
23 February 2015