My Genealogy Hound

James H. McCollum, attorney at law, Hope, Ark. For nearly seven years Mr. McCollum has been engaged in the active practice of his profession at Hope, and entered upon his career as an attorney at that place immediately following his admission to the bar in 1883, under promises of a successful and honorable future in the legal profession. Nor has his record in the practice disappointed the just expectations that were formed of him in the beginning. He is thoroughly wedded to his profession, has an extensive acquaintance and enjoys a liberal patronage in his practice. He is a native of Hempstead County, Ark., born January 9, 1862, and is the son of Ambrose B. and Altamira (Payne) McCollum, natives of Alabama. The parents emigrated to Arkansas in 1849, located in Hempstead County, and were among the first settlers of the same. They made their home eight miles northeast of Hope, and the farm is still in the family. There both parents closed their eyes to the scenes of this world. James H. McCollum, the youngest of seven children (three now living) born to his parents, received a common-school education and remained on the farm until twenty years of age. He began the study of law, was admitted to the bar in October, 1883, and has since been in practice. For some time he was in partnership with Capt. C. A. Bridewell, a prominent attorney of Hope, and he is now one of the prominent young men of that place and has built up a good practice. He was mayor of Hope for one term when only twenty-two years of age, and in 1887 he was appointed post-office inspector, holding the position until July, 1889. He was nominated by the Democratic Judicial Convention of the Ninth District of Arkansas, which convened at Prescott, Nevada County, on June 13, 1890, for the office of prosecuting attorney. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, and in his political views adheres strongly to the Democratic party. Mr. McCollum, aside from his practice, is also the owner of 180 acres of the old homestead. He had one brother, William, who enlisted in the army when seventeen years of age, was captured on Saline River and taken to Rock Island (Ill.) prison, where he died with pneumonia. Mr. McCollum’s two sisters are Mrs. Isabella Cook, now of Wrightsboro, Gonzales County, Tex., and Miss Sarah D. McCollum, of Prescott, Ark.