NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Charles McCOLLUM, a prominent citizen of Morristown, New Jersey, and now holding the responsible position of postmaster of the town, was born in Bernards township, Somerset county, New Jersey, May 29, 1846. His father, James McCOLLUM, a farmer, was also a native of Somerset county, but died at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving a widow and four children. The mother of Charles McCOLLUM was Hannah STOUT, a native of Hopewell, New Jersey, died at Bernardsville at the age of eighty-three years. Her children by James McCOLLUM were:

• Charles,
• William Eugene,
• Alexander, and
• Jennie.

Mrs. McCOLLUM remarried and had one child by this marriage,

• Monroe BIRD.

The father of Hannah (STOUT) McCOLLUM was John STOUT, a merchant of Hopewell, New Jersey, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was buried at Hopewell where he had always lived. On the paternal side the grandfather of Charles McCOLLUM came from Scotland but records of him have been lost.

Left by his father’s death at the head of the little household, the early education of Charles McCOLLUM was one in responsibility and hard work. That he was successful in this difficult position testifies to his ability and force of character. He kept the farm together, and made it pay, doing the work of a grown man. He was, however, ambitious, and at last the narrow life on the lonely farm grew irksome to the adventurous spirit of the lad. At the age of nineteen years, therefore, he decided to come to town and get work that would give his mental faculties play. Coming to Morristown he secured a position as a clerk in a grocery store, leaving this when an opening offered in the store of Mulford & Babbitt, remaining with them for three years. After this experience he decided to go into the furnishing goods business, continuing in it for eight years. An opportunity then offered to enter the livery business and in this he is still engaged the firm going under the name of Charles McCOLLUM.

He became very much interested when he first came to Morristown in the fire department and as early as 1867 he became a charter member of Independent Hose Company, No. 1, with which he continued all through the many years of his activity. He is honorary member now of his old company, Independent Hose Company, No. 1. He is also a charter member of Fireman’s Exempt Association of which he is still a member and has filled most of the offices of that organization as well as president of same. His faithful and intelligent services received their reward in his promotion to the grade of foreman and latterly to that of chief of the department. He served on the excise board for seventeen years prior to his taking the duties of postmaster of Morristown, July 1, 1910. In his political preferences Mr. McCOLLUM is a Republican. He is an attendant of the South Street Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Tapkaow Club and a member of the cemetery board of Evergreen Cemetery, Morristown, New Jersey.

He married (first) in 1876, Minnie Myers SANBORN, who died in 1893. There were no children of this marriage. He married (second) December 6, 1898, Anna PREIM, and of this marriage has been born one daughter:

• May Louise, October 25, 1900.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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