Searching for information regarding James' parents. I know he was born in 6 March 1792 in Ohio, married Elizabeth Cowen 19 Jun 1814 in Clermont Co, and died 2 Jul 1878 at his son-in-law's (Bethuel Cavolt) home in Warren Co. He and his wife are buried in the McCollum Cemetery in Clermont, as well as other family memebers.

I have copies of his War of 1812 service record and other family documents. But clues to his parent's names have so far remained hidden.

This obituary appeared in the Clermont Sun - 10 July 1878

One of the oldest pioneers of Northern Clermont, dies at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Bethuel Covalt, near Deerfield, Warren county, Ohio, on July 2, 1878. Mr. McCollum was born in a military fort near the mouth of the Little Miami River, Hamilton county, March 6, 1792, as was consequently in the eighty-seventh year of his age. To give a detailed history of the deceased, would be giving the history of Northern Clermont for the period of his life. We first find him peddling the Cincinnati Gazette, then known by the name of Liberty Hall - along the streets of the city. He soon afterward came to Stonelick and in 1814 married Miss Elizabeth Cowen, daughter of William Cowen, with whom he lived happily for about fifty-five years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, braving the unparalleled hardships of the northern campaign. Physically, he was a man of great power of endurance, and did more than his share in the general improvement of his section. The deceased became a member of the M. E. Church some fifty years ago, and ever since has lived in accordance with its discipline. In early days his house was used as a place of worship in the absence of a regular public house of worship. He was a good husband, a kind father, gentlemanly in all his associations, and a highly esteemed citizen. Though a man of no educational advantages, his latter days were spent in reading and keeping himself informed in all the advancements of society.