SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

James N. McColm, Page 293

JAMES N. McCOLM, of Plymouth, has been a resident of Sheboygan County since 1877.  He is extensively engaged in fruit-growing, and has attained to success in this branch of industry.  He is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, the date of his birth being October 28, 1846.  His father, Robert McColm, died when his son was but six years of age.  The father was also a native of Ohio, but of Scotch parentage.  In 1857, the mother and her six children removed to Marion County, Ill., where she died in 1864.  Of the seven children, six grew to maturity, and four are still living.

    The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family.  he grew to manhood in Illinois, and received more than ordinary advantages for securing an education.  After leaving the public school, he pursued a year's course of study at Lincoln University, Lincoln, Ill., and a like course at Eureka, in the same State.  For some time he taught most successfully.

    Mr. McColm was married in August, 1876, to Miss Virginia Fisher, a native of Springfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander and Susan Fisher.  In the fall following his marriage, he came to Wisconsin, and taught the following winter near West Bend, in Washington County.  The succeeding spring he returned to Illinois, and with his wife came to Plymouth.

    Our subject began his business career in Sheboygan County, in the enterprise of bee-keeping.  He brought with him eighty swarms of bees, rented a farm, and for six years was engaged in the culture of the honey-bee.  He then purchased his present place, which comprises twelve acres within the city limits of Plymouth, with the object in view of raising a nursery and engaging in fruit-growing.  For a number of years he raised nursery stock, but finally decided that it was better to buy stock to supply the local trade, and consequently he discontinued his nursery, but still supplies the trade by choice stock produced elsewhere.  Of fruit culture, Mr. McColm has made a decided success, and raises for the market large quantities of small fruits.  He also has a fine orchard of over four hundred apple trees, many of which have reached a bearing age.

    In 1884, Mr. McColm began experimenting with the raising of domestic plums, in which effort he has been very successful, proving beyond doubt that the climate and soil of this part of Wisconsin are adapted to this excellent and desirable fruit.  He has about two hundred thrifty and healthy trees, and has been able to cope successfully with the curculio, the arch enemy of the plum.  Pr. McColm is entitled to much credit for his perseverance in this branch, and is making of it quite an important industry.  In connection with fruit culture, he still continues bee-raising, but does not increase his business very much in that direction, making it a matter of secondary importance.

    Mr. and Mrs. McColm have seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely:  Idella, Lottie, Mamie, Arthur, Ollie, Elton and Arlo.  They have lost one son, Orin.  Mr. McColm is an enterprising citizen, and as such is held in high esteem.  In his political views, he is a Republican.