Mary Jane (Wills) McCormick/McCormack (1848-1920)

WILLS, MCCORMICK, MCCORMACK, MORFORD, WILSON, HANDLEY, KING, ANDERSON, ROUNDY, KNIGHT, TEAGARDEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/13/2024 at 14:17:28

From Jewell Record January 15, 1920 (page 1)

DEATH OF MRS. McCORMICK

Mary Jane McCormick was born at Falmont, England, October 10, 1848, and died at Jewell, Iowa, January 9, 1920, at 11:05 P. M., at the age of 71 years, 3 months, and 29 days. Mrs. McCormick came to America with her parents when only six weeks of age. They made the trip in a sailing vessel and were over six weeks on the sea. Her parents first settled at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but afterwards moved to Wisconsin. Here she spent her young girlhood days and met Mr. Wm. Lee McCormick to whom she was married June 18, 1865. To this union 10 children were born. Seven girl and one boy reached maturity, two died in infancy, Mrs. Lillie Morford died January 10, 1906 and Mrs. Myrtle Wilson died February 21, 1919. Four children survive her. They are Mrs. Elsie Handley, Chapin, Iowa, Mrs. Florence E. King, Jewell, Iowa, Mrs. Jennie Anderson, Paton, Ia. and Mr. Wm. T. McCormick, New York City, New York.

Mr. and Mrs. McCormick in their early married life decided to pioneer in Kansas. They settled on a claim near Ida, Republic Co., Kansas. Here they spent a number of years. In order to have better advantages in educational privileges for their children they bought a home in Hubbell, Neb., and resided there at which place Mr. McCormick died June 23, 1888, leaving a young mother with quite a large family to care for. All true mothers declare, "The things that can be done must be done for my family." So she shouldered this double responsibility that was thrust upon her, with devotion and self-sacrifice determined to give her children a good education surrounding them with Christian influence and maintaining the standard in the home where the children might have the comforts of life. Her children witness the fact that she did her work well. As a neighbor she would always do all that was in her power to be helpful.

Mrs. McCormick came of a large family, ten children. In those early days she learned many lessons of thrift and self-sacrifice which were of true value to her in after years. Three sisters and four brothers survive her, Mrs. George Roundy, Hecla, S. D., Mrs. Anna Knight, Alden, Ia., Mrs. Chas. Teagarden, Jefferson, In., W. H. Wills, Riceville, Iowa, J. C. Wills, Titonka, Ia., C. R. Wills, Slayton, Minn., Arthur Wills, Boone, Iowa. Some time after the death of her husband, Mrs. McCormick moved to Iowa locating at Jewell where she spent the last years of her life. She and her brother, J. C. Wills made their home together for a number of years in Jewell and at the time of her death she was planning a trip to Titonka, Ia., to make a home for him there. All her household goods were shipped and she said the house will be ready for me when I am strong enough to go. But there was another home prepared to which she was called.

Mrs. McCormick was a charter member of the Eastern Star Lodge of Jewell, Ia. Much of her social and benevolent activities were directed through its administrations. She was held with high regard by its membership. As we know her quiet disposition, never burdening others with her troubles, kind to all, never speaking ill to anyone, Christian patience to bear pain, Christian hope to endure to the end, expressing a willingness to go but feeling that while she was spared she must serve.

In his early life she confessed Christ and united with the United Brethren Church in which faith she remained steadfast to the end. While a resident of Jewell, she attended the Congregational church when her strength and health would permit her and was an active member of the ladies aid society.

She died but memory makes her live with us always to bless us. Some day in God's own time we will meet again.