Russel B. Mccollum

As printed in 1881

RUSSEL B. McCOLLUM, dealer in groceries, provisions, etc.; P. O. South Charleston. Among the business men of South Charleston, none are more deserving of favorable mention in the pages of this work than the present efficient and popular Postmaster of that town. His father, John McCollum, was born in Virginia Oct. 25, 1774; followed farming as his life occupation, living successively in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky; in the latter State, marrying a lady by the name of Smith, who bore him one child— Rebecca, and died about eighteen months after marriage. In due time he married Elizabeth Foley, a native of Virginia, born Oct. 28, 1784, and in May, 1814, they removed to Ohio settling in what is now Madison Township, Clark County, on the South Fork of the Little Miami River, and about one mile south of where the town of South Charleston has since been built. Here John McCollum entered 225 acres of land, building his cabin amid tue primitive woods, which, as time flew by, gave way before the sturdy blows of his ax, and well-cultivated fields replaced the forest on every side. To John and Elizabeth McCollum were born nine children—Henry F., John, Thompson, Alvira, Evaline, Susan, Minerva, Seth O. and Russel B., the father of whom died June 14, 1848, and his widow Nov. 15, 1871, both being consistent members of the M. E. Church. The subject of this sketch was born in Madison Township, Clark Co., Ohio, May 22, 1827; was raised to agricultural pursuits, and married Jan. 8, 1857 to Eliza C. Rosegrant, of Champaign Co., Ohio, and the daughter of William and Ellen (Ludlow) Rosegrant, who lived and died in that county. the latter being the sister of Pr. John Ludlow, of Springfield, Ohio. After his marriage, Mr.

McCollum bought a farm in Madison Township, and followed farming until Aug. 14, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 110th O. V. I., and went forth to aid in suppressing the rebellion. He participated in many of the great battles in Virginia; was with Meade and Grant in their campaigns of 1864-65; was taken prisoner at the battle of Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864, and for three months suffered all the horrors of Libby Prison, at the end of which time, being exchanged, he returned to the army in time to share the dangers and triumphs of Grant’s last great campaign, in the capture of Richmond and Lee’s army at Appomattox. He was promoted to First Sergeant, and for the last few months of the war, was in command of the color company of the famous 110th Regiment; his service terminated with the war, and he received an honorable discharge. Returning to Clark County, broken in health and fortune, he sought and obtained the Postmastership at South Charleston, which position he has since filled honorably and creditably. Politically, he is an ardent Republican, and was one of the first six men of Madison Township who voted the “ Free-Soil” ticket; for the past twenty-five years he has been Past Grand of the I. O. O. F., and for more than twenty years he and wife have been members of the Presbyterian Church. In connection with the post office, he and his brother, Seth O., under the firm name of “ R. B. McCollum & Bro." own and manage a large grocery and provision store. Mr. MeCollum has served four years as a member of the Town Council; as a business man, is enterprising and successful; is the soul of integrity and honor, save and pleasant in his manners, accommodating and ever willing to do a kind act; those attributes of character have made him one of the most popular gentlemen in the community of which he has always been an honored and respected member.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.