Background
Born in Murray Township, Northumberland County, Canada West, the son of John H. and Martha McColl, McColl was educated at the Public School and the High School of Trenton, Ontario.
Born in Murray Township, Northumberland County, Canada West, the son of John H. and Martha McColl, McColl was educated at the Public School and the High School of Trenton, Ontario.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for the electoral district of Northumberland West at the general elections of 1896. A Liberal, he elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1900, 1904, and 1908 elections. He was defeated in the 1911 election.
A lawyer, he was a Member of the Town Council of Cobourg for one year and Deputy Reeve and Commissioner of the Town Trust of Cobourg for one year.