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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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William Dayton McCollom.

William Dayton McCollom was successfully engaged in the real-estate and abstract business in Greenfield, and was one of the most highly respected residents of that city.  His birth occurred in Rochester, Windsor county, Vermont, September 30, 1856, and his parents were Ezra and Ellen Maria (Farwell) McCollom, the former a lifelong resident of the east and a physician by profession.  The mother is still living in Rochester, Vermont.

William D. McCollom passed the period of his boyhood and youth in the Green Mountain state and there received his education.  When eighteen years of age he emigrated westward, locating in Adair county, Iowa.  In 1875 he was appointed deputy county auditor and took up his residence in Fontanelle, which was at that time the county seat.  Later, when Greenfield was made the county seat, he removed here and continued to make this city his home until his demise.  In 1877 he was elected county surveyor and served in that office for two years, gaining an enviable reputation for accurate work.  At the end of his term he engaged in the loan and abstract business and followed that continuously until his death, with the exception of a period of six years, which he devoted to the lumber business.  He built up a large patronage in the real-estate and abstract business and his decision in regard to a title carried weight, as he was recognized as an expert in that line of work.  He was thoroughly informed as to the law pertaining to real estate, was painstaking in his investigations, and his abstract books were complete.

Mr. McCollom was married on the 25th of December, 1877, to Miss Myra Peat, of Greenfield, who passed away in April, 1898.  To this union were born four children:  Marian C.;  Howe D.;  H. Glenn;  and Fausta, who is now deceased.  On the 25th of July, 1900, Mr. Mccollom was again married, Miss Mary Romesha, of Greenfield, becoming his wife.  Her father, W. H. Romesha, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 13, 1844, and be3came a resident of Iowa in October, 1855.  During the Civil war he served in the Union army, but after the close of hostilities returned home and for may years held the office of deputy county sheriff.  He passed away August 2, 1904.  His wife whom bore the name of Italy Spain, was born in Union county, Ohio, September 25,1846, and is still living in Greenfield.  Mr. and Mrs. McCollom were the parents of two children:  William Dayton, Jr., who is a high-school student;  and Mary Ellen.

Mr. McCollom gave his political allegiance to the republican party, and was quite prominent in public affairs.  For three terms he served as mayor of Greenfield, giving the city an excellent and progressive administration, and for several years he held the office of city treasurer, which he was filling at the time of his demise.  He was well known in local fraternal circles.  He held membership in Crusade Lodge, No. 386, A. F. & A. M., in which he was initiated, passed and raised and of which he was worshipful master for four years;  in St. John's Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M., at Fontanelle;  Bethany Commandery, No. 29, K. T., at Creston;  and Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R., in which he had taken the thirty-second degree.  He was also identified with Greenfield Chapter, No. 91, O. E. S., of which he was worthy patron for several years.  He at all times manifested a laudable interest in the public welfare and was willing to give freely of his time and means in promoting the advancement of his community.  He was respected not alone because of his business ability and his sound judgment but also because of his public spirit and his unswerving integrity.

Mrs. McCollom assisted her husband in his work, and following his demise she assumed charge of the abstract business, which she has since ably conducted.  She was also appointed city treasurer, and at the next election was elected to that office, which she still holds and the work of which she performs with accuracy and dispatch.  She is well known and all who have been associated with her hold her in the highest esteem.

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