From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, 
publ. 1894 - Page 23-24
 
THOMAS A. McCOLLOW.  It is a pleasure to insert in this volume a sketch of the life 
of the subject of this sketch, for he has not only been public-spirited and law-abiding, but 
he is also enterprising, kind hearted and intelligent, and in each and every relation of life 
has conducted himself in a manner to win the respect of all.  He first saw the light of day 
in the village of Oak Grove, Wis., February 26, 1854, but his worthy sire, Owen 
McCOLLOW, is a product of the Green Isle of Erin, and there grew to early manhood.  
He was of an ambitious nature, and decided to seek his fortune in the new world, and 
after having been in this country for some time was united in marriage in Jersey City, and 
thereafter for a  few years resided in New York.  In 1847 he came to Milwaukee, Wis., 
and in that city began following his trade of shoemaking, and worked faithfully at the 
same until 1850, when he located at Oak Grove, Dodge County, where his home has 
since continued to be.  Owing to his long residence here he has become exceedingly well 
known, and the numerous friends that he has gathered around speak eloquently as to his 
many worthy traits of character.  He has always interested himself in the political affairs 
of this section, is a stanch Democrat, and has held many offices of honor and trust in this 
county.  He is now living in retirement and greatly enjoys his rest from the burden and 
heat of the day.  Thomas A. McCOLLOW has resided all his life in Dodge County, and 
in the public schools of this section he acquired a practical education, supplemented by a 
two-years course at Sacred Heart College, Watertown, Wis., and for a few years 
thereafter was a successful school teacher of Dodge County, and to him lies the honor of 
being the only young man educated in the village who afterward taught the same school 
that he attended in his youth.  After reaching the "young idea" for some time, he engaged 
in clerking in Juneau and Horicon, but in October, 1884, he and a brother, T. J. 
McCOLLOW, united their means and bought out an established business in Juneau, and 
up to February 1893, they did a remarkably successful general mercantile business.  At 
that date the brothers sold out, and Thomas A. has since been identified with the 
Democratic party, and has filled the offices of town clerk, alderman and county 
supervisor.  He has also been deputy county clerk and October 18, 1893, was appointed 
to the position of postmaster of Juneau, and has made a very efficient and obliging 
official.  He has served as a delegate to numerous conventions, and in various other ways 
has been active in the political affairs of his section.  He was married in Beaver Dam, 
Wis., September 26, 1883, to Miss M. E. PARRY, a native of Fond du Lac County, Wis., 
but who was reared and educated in Beaver Dam, and was a very successful teacher of 
Dodge County for a number of years.  To them two children have been given: Josephine 
M. and Zita C.  Another child, Eugenia, died at the age of thirteen months.  Mr. and Mrs. 
McCOLLOW are members of the Catholic Church, and socially, he belongs to the 
Foresters and also to the C.K. of W., of which order he is secretary.  The entire life of Mr. 
McCOLLOW has been spent in this county, and when it is known that he has the respect 
of all who know him, all has been said.

Submitted by:  Carol Holmbeck