From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902.

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Pages 787 & 788

HON. ABRAM McCOLLOCH, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near 
Clinton, West Virginia, comes from one of the most prominent of the 
early families of Ohio County.  He was born in 1844 on the old 
homestead established by his grandfather in the eighteenth century, 
which has continued in the family down to the present time, now being 
owned by our subject's brother and sister.  He is a son of Samuel 
McColloch, who was also born on the old homestead in 1802.  He was a 
farmer and for many years a justice of the peace. 

Abram McColloch, grandfather of our subject, came to Ohio County, 
Virginia, with three brothers in the latter half of the eighteenth 
century.  They were typical representatives of the sturdy pioneers of 
that day.  They were foremost in the many engagements with the Indians 
of that period, and Abram was slightly wounded upon one occasion while 
trying to effect his escape on horse.  His oldest brother, Samuel, was 
major of the forces and at one time was surrounded by the Indians on 
Wheeling Hill above the spot where Fort Henry was located; escape 
seemed impossible, but he succeeded in forcing his horse over the 
almost precipitous hill to Wheeling Creek, and thence made his escape 
to the fort, sorely disappointing the Indians, who wished his scalp for 
the deeds he had previously done.  This daring act is often related at 
the present time by the residents of the county, and the spot of 
"McColloch's Leap" is pointed to with pride.  Shortly afterward he was 
killed by the Indians and his brother John superseded him as major and 
was also known as a fearless fighter.  Another brother, George, was 
more given to peace and followed farming all his life. 

Samuel McColloch, father of our subject, and his wife had the following 
children:  Mary L., wife of Samuel Sprigg Jacob, a farmer living in 
Ohio County; Rebecca B., who married L. D. Wilson, M.D., of Wheeling; 
Tabitha, wife of H. H. Dils, Jr., of Parkersburg; Samuel Wilbur, a 
farmer who died in 1888; Millard F., and his sister Catherine, who own 
the old homestead, both of them being unmarried; Margaret, who married 
William Baird; Jessie, who died at the age of fifteen years; Simon L., 
an inventor, who died in April 1900; and Alexander, who is a successful 
farmer.

Abram McColloch, whose name heads this sketch, attended the common 
schools and completed his education in the academy at Morgantown, West 
Virginia.  He has always devoted his efforts to farming, and has met 
with the success that well directed industry merits.  He lives on a 
beautiful farm near Clinton, in Ohio County.

In 1870 Mr. McColloch was joined in marriage with Drusilla R. Jacob, a 
daughter of John J. And Mahala W. (Ridgley) Jacob, her father being a 
prosperous farmer. This union was prolific of the following offspring: 
Sally M., born June 1, 1872, a graduate in 1891 of the West Liberty 
State Normal School, married H. F. B. McLain, who is identified with 
the Mountain State Electrical Company at Wheeling, and they have two 
children, Henry and Adele; J. C., born June 29, 1875, who was educated 
at the West Liberty State Normal School and remains with his father as 
a farmer; and Jessie D., born in 1882, also educated at the West 
Liberty State Normal School, who lives at home.  Mr. McColloch has been 
an active member of the M. E. Church for forty two years, and for many 
years has been steward and trustee.  He is a Republican in politics and 
has held numerous offices.  He was appointed a member of the executive 
board of the West Liberty State Normal School; is a member of the State 
Legislature, to which body he was elected in 1900; and is president of 
the state board of agriculture.  Fraternally, he is a member of Liberty 
Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., and at the present time is district 
deputy grand master of the First Masonic District.