McCORMICK, Scott - 1912 Bio (1861-1932)

MCCORMICK, HOWARD, WILLIAMS, DIERS, SCHWARM

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 3/11/2004 at 17:03:17

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 453-455

SCOTT McCORMICK

“Scott McCORMICK, one of the representative and successful farmers and stockmen of Round Prairie township, is also numbered among the worthy native sons of Jefferson county, within the borders of which he has always remained. His birth occurred in Cedar township in May, 1861, his parents being George and Sarah (HOWARD) McCORMICK, both of whom were natives of Indiana. When a lad of twelve years George McCORMICK came to this county with his parents, here continuing his education. As soon as his age and strength permitted he turned his attention to the work of the fields, operating the home place for some time. Subsequently he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Buchanan township from his father, placing many substantial improvements on the property and being actively engaged in its cultivation until 1886. In that year he took up his abode in Beckwith and there spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement, passing away on the 9th of July, 1911, when seventy-three years of age. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends during the period of his residence here, covering more than six decades. His widow, who still makes her home in Beckwith, has attained the age of seventy-one years.

Scott McCORMICK attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he worked as a farm hand for one season and was then married, after which he devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm for five years. On the expiration of that period he rented another place, being busily engaged in its cultivation for four and a half years. In 1891 he purchased a tract of one hundred acres in Round Prairie township and began its improvement. Later he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. Recently, however, he has traded one hundred acres of the property for a quarter section of land in Buchanan township, where he expects to take up his abode in the coming March. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he raises annually eighty head of hogs and also keeps forty head of cattle and fifteen head of horses, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying income.

On the 21st of September, 1882, Mr. McCORMICK was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie A. WILLIAMS, a daughter of John and Dora (DIERS) WILLIAMS, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in an early day, locating first in New Orleans. Subsequently they made their way to Burlington, Iowa, where John WILLIAMS worked as a carpenter and also at the cabinet-maker’s trade for a number of years, making furniture and coffins. Coming to Jefferson county, he purchased eighty acres of land in Walnut township and undertook the task of clearing and improving the place. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until they embraced two hundred and thirty acres of valuable land. The operation of that farm claimed his attention until he was called to his final rest in June, 1905, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife passed away in September, 1899, when sixty-eight years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCORMICK have been born nine children, as follows: Dora, whose demise occurred on the 16th of March, 1884; Nellie, born June 8, 1885, who is now the wife of Arthur SCHWARM and resides in Indianapolis; Guy, Glenn and Minnie, all of whom are at home; Bessie, who passed away on the 15th of January, 1895; and Mildred, Mary and Florence.

Mr. McCORMICK gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as trustee of Round Prairie township and has also held the office of school director for nineteen years, while for several years he acted as president of the board. He is likewise a stockholder in the Fairfield Chautauqua Association. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he has been superintendent of a successful Sunday school for several years, at Parsonville, near his home, of which church he is a member. He is highly esteemed in the community in which he makes his home, and as an enterprising, energetic and prosperous agriculturist he well deserves mention in this volume.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.