James McCollister
James McCollister, son of James McCollister, a native of Maryland, removed to this state when young, and prior to the war of 1812, in which he was a private, settled in Ross County, where he married Nancy Ann Weaver, a native of Virginia, who bore him ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity. Those living are: Mary, Isaiah, Jesse, William, Ross, Mattie P., Joseph, John, and our subject. Belle is deceased. He died, in 1851 or '52; his wife, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in November, 1878.
Our subject was born, October, 1830, in Union Township, Ross County, where he was reared. He was married, November 30, 1854, to Rachel, daughter of Robert McDill; Their union has been blessed by three children: Ellie Alice, Seymour, and Charles G. They have been bereaved by the death of two of these loved ones: Ellie Alice, who died, August 8, 1859; and Seymour, whe departed this life, January 26, 1864. He and wife are consistent members of the Otterbein Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the late war, he went out as a private in Company C, 149th O. V. I., one hundred days service; he went to Baltimore, then through Virginia. His regiment was used for guard duty, and did good service; their term of enlistment expired near the close of the war. He has been a Republican since youth, and has held the office of constable. He occupies about one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and raises corn, wheat, and stock.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County