J. S. McCALL, who at one time was closely identified with mercantile interests, but for the past ten years has given undivided attention to the cattle industry, makes his home in Colorado, Texas. He was born in Mount Vernon, Rock Castle county, Kentucky, and is a son of J. L. L. McCall, who is represented elsewhere in this work. He was eighteen months old when brought by his parents to Texas, and his early boyhood days were spent in Waco, while his preliminary education was supplemented by study in Baylor University. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of R. M. Reveire, a druggist of Waco, with whom he remained for about two years, when he became an employe[e] of the old firm of Kellum & Rotan, predecessors of the Rotan Grocery Company of Waco. He continued with that house for twelve years and in 1883 came to Colorado, Mitchell county, where he opened a wholesale and retail grocery house under the firm style of McCall Brothers & Rotan, continuing in the business for five years, after which he purchased the interest of his partners and was then alone in the conduct of the enterprise for nine years. In this business he was quite successful. The country was enjoying an era of growth and prosperity. The cattle were found upon a thousand hills, values were high and money plentiful. Every branch of business was proving profitable, and there were few failures. Mr. McCall’s trade extended for a hundred and fifty miles to the west and south. Groceries brought about the same price that they do to-day, but the profits were much greater. Mr. McCall also did quite a large jobbing trade, for stock men brought form him in large quantities. This was in the day of the open range, before the farmer was cultivating the soil and the entire country was devoted to stock raising. After closing out his grocery business, Mr. McCall gradually worked in the cattle business and has been connected with the stock interests of the state for the past fifteen years, while for ten years he has given his attention exclusively to this industry, operating and dealing in cattle on quite an extensive scale. He has been a director and stockholder in the First National Bank and the Colorado National Bank for the past fifteen years, and for a shore period was cashier of the latter.
Mr. McCall was married October 1, 1874, to Miss Mary Smith, of Waco, Texas, and they now have a daughter and son: Katie S., who is the wife of Dr. R. G. Davenport, of Trinidad, Colorado, and J. C. McCall, who is associated with his father in the cattle business. They also lost one daughter, Pet, who died April 6, 1899, at the age of eleven years. Mr. McCall has been a member of the Presbyterian church since about twenty-two years of age. He is one of the early settlers of the west and has been closely identified with the history of this portion of the state throughout his entire life. During his residence in Colorado, he has been recognized as one of the most active, influential and prominent business men of the town and as a successful financier. He stands as a typical representative of the spirit of progression, whether in business or public life, and has always identified himself with the enterprises that have for their object the public good. He is an earnest active worker and his enterprise, coupled with his good judgment and ability, has led him into those lines of operation that are almost sure to bring success.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, p. 436.