Pope-Van Buren County ArArchives Biographies.....McCollum, A. J. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 20, 2009, 11:18 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) A. J. McCOLLUM. A. J. McCollum, well known financier and member of the bar, who since 1903 lias been at the head of the Merchants & Farmers Bank of Atkins and who has ever recognized and met his obligations and duties in relation to the public welfare, certainly deserves classification with the prominent and representative residents of Pope county. A native of Tennessee, he was born in Hickman county, in September, 1845, and has therefore passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, yet remains an active factor in the world's work. His parents, John and Susan (Carothers) McCollum, were natives of South Carolina, whence they removed to Tennessee in early life and were there married. The father was a farmer and saddler and following the establishment of his home in Tennessee he continued to reside in that state until called to his final rest. He was quite successful in his business affairs and was a well educated man who exerted considerable influence over public thought and action. He belonged to the Christian church, while his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church. In politics he was a democrat and filled some of the local offices. A. J. McCollum, who was the second in order of birth in a family of six children and who is the only one living, was educated in the schools of Hickman county and of Perry county, Tennessee, and started out in the business world as a farmer, continuing to devote his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1S74. He removed to Missouri in December, 1870, and was identified with the farming interests of that state until 1874. when he was called to public office, being elected circuit clerk. He served altogether for twenty years, making a most splendid record by the prompt and capable manner in which he discharged his duties. In January, 1903, he came to Arkansas and settling at Clinton organized the Van Buren County Bank. In the same year, however, he disposed of that bank and came to Atkins in September, 1903, after which he established the Merchants & Farmers Bank with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. The bank has averaged deposits amounting to two hundred thousand dollars and has' enjoyed a steady and substantial growth, Mr. McCollum wisely directing the interests of the institution as president of the bank from the beginning. He has also been admitted to the bar and practices law in connection with his banking business. His knowledge of the law, too, is of value to him in the conduct of his financial interests. In 1867 Mr. McCollum was married to Miss Alice Harrington, who was born in Perry county, Tennessee, and they became parents of two children: Mary, who is the wife of Elijah Dalton, a farmer and banker of Pocahontas, Arkansas; and Thomas, of Springfield, Missouri, who is a traveling salesman. The wife and mother died in 1878, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which she was a consistent member. In 1879 Mr. McCollum was married to Miss Emma Borth, who was born in Ripley county, Missouri, and they have become parents of three children: Oscar H., who is cashier of the Merchants & Farmers Bank of Atkins; Albert C, who is assistant cashier of the bank: and Flora, the wife of Dr. L. Gardner of Russellville. The family is one of prominence as judged by all well known standards, Mr. McCollum measuring up in every way to high ideals of manhood and citizenship. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take active and helpful interest, Mr. McCollum serving as one of the elders. He is also a Royal Arch Mason and was secretary of his lodge for a number of years. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Knights of The Maccabees. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and for eight years he served as mayor of Atkins, his administration of municipal affairs being strictly businesslike and progressive. There is also a military chapter in the life record of Mr. McCollum, for in the fall of 1S61 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Company H, Forty-second Tennessee Infantry and served to the close of the war. He was captain of his company and he was paroled and discharged near Franklin, Tennessee, in Novemher, 1864. He participated in the battles of New Hope Church, Jackson, Mississippi, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Georgia, Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and in several other of the lesser engagements. He was captured at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and was in prison seven months during the war, at Chicago, Illinois His life history is altogether interesting inasmuch as it shows what can be accomplished, not only in the way of attaining success but also in developing character. He started out in the world a poor boy and all that he possesses has been acquired through his own labors, his entire career proving that prosperity and an honored name may be gained simultaneously. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/pope/bios/mccollum284bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb