HON. ANDREW J. MCCOLLUM. The State of Missouri is well represented by the native Tennesseean, among whom are found many prominent and influential citizens, our subject not being classed among the least. He is now the most efficient circuit clerk of Ripley County and a man thoroughly posted and informed in the duties of his office as well as all other matters of moment. He was born in Hickman County, Tennessee, September 23, 1842, and the son of John and Susan (Caruthers) McCollum, natives of middle Tennessee.
The father resided in Tennessee all his life and spent his days engaged in tilling the soil. He held the office of justice of the peace many years, also other positions of trust and honor, and was universally respected. He moved from Hickman County to Perry County, Tennessee, about 1851 and there died in 1877, when sixty-five years of age. After his death the mother moved to Ripley County, Missouri, and found a comfortable home with her son Andrew J. until her death in 1879, when fifty-six years of age. In politics the father was a Democrat.
Andrew J. McCollum was a lad of nine years when he moved with his parents to Perry County, Tennessee, and in Hickman and that county he secured a fair education. In August or September, 1861, he joined the Forty-second Tennessee Confederate Infantry, Company H., as sergeant and remained with that regiment until the close of the war. He preferred to remain with his comrades and refused office, although it was tendered him. He served in Louisiana. Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee and was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Jackson, Atlanta (Georgia), Campaign, Kenesaw Mountain and others. He was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson and conveyed to Camp Douglas, where he remained a prisoner seven months, when he was regularly exchanged. At Vicksburg and Atlanta he was twice wounded by spent balls, but not badly. His command consisted of sharpshooters. At the close of the war he returned to Perry County and turned his attention to farming.
In 1871 he came to Missouri and bought a farm near Doniphan. Three years later he was elected circuit clerk and recorder and entered the office January 13, 1875. That position he has filled up to the present time and it speaks for itself as to his popularity. Mr. McCollum was married in March, 1866, to Miss Alice Harrington, of Perry County, Tennessee, and she died in May, 1879, leaving two children: Mary E., wife of E. Dalton, of Randolph County, Arkansas, and William T., at home. In November, 1879, Mr. McCollum wedded Miss Emma Borth, of this county, and they have three interesting children: Oscar H., Albert C. and Flora H. Mr. McCollum is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is an elder in the same. He is a Mason, Composite Lodge No. 369, Chapter at Poplar Bluff, is a master workman in the A. O. U. W., is a K. of P. and K. of H., and holds office in the latter.