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R. S. McCORMAC, a farmer residing on section 15, Concord Township, was born in Virginia, in 1829, and is the seventh child of Levi and Jane (Grimes) McCormac, who were also natives of Virginia, and the parents of twelve children. The father was a farmer by occupation, and lived in his native State until his death, which occurred in 1848. He served with credit during the War of 1812, and was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the community in which he resided. His excellent wife survived his death many years, dying in Virginia in 1868.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon the farm, and his education was obtained in the district schools of his native State. He was there apprenticed to the carpenter’s trade, becoming an efficient workman, and followed that employment for thirteen or fourteen years. Resolving to cast his lot in the then Far West, he made an overland trip to Iowa in 1849, reaching Louisa County in the month of October. Having a brother living in Muscatine County, he made his home with him for awhile, working at his trade.
In 1864, in Louisa County, Mr. McCormac was married to Emma D. McChesney, a native of New York. In childhood she removed with her parents, Jonathan and Ruth (Racy) McChesney, to New Jersey, and in 1853 came with them to Louisa County. Her parents are now residing in Dallas County, Iowa, where the father engages in farming. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which still continues to be their home, and there six children have been born to them: Ruth Caroline, now Mrs. Dowson, residing in Concord Township; Lucy Ella, Mary Jane, Walter, Jonathan Herbert and Horace, who are at home, attending the district school.
Mr. McCormac is one of the leading farmers of Concord Township. In 1853 he made his first purchase of land, consisting of eighty acres on section 15, which was then wild prairie, but he immediately began to improve and cultivate it, and from time to time has added to his original purchase until he now owns 340 acres of fine, arable land, comprising one of the best farms in the township. He has had a nice farm residence erected, and the out-buildings, including two good barns, are models of convenience. His stock is of the best grades, and includes the Short-horn cattle. His home is most pleasantly situated, but a few miles from Letts, Columbus Junction and Fredonia, thus furnishing excellent markets. Mr. McCormac is well informed on all political affairs of the day, and casts his ballot with the Democratic party, of which he is an earnest advocate. He has held a number of offices of public trust, has served as Road Supervisor, and is a member of the School Board. He has ever taken . . .
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. . . an active interest in promoting the cause of education, and has assisted in organizing several of the school districts in his township. With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Fredonia, and socially, he belongs to Grand View Lodge No. 65, at Grand View. Any enterprise for the good of the community receives his earnest support, and he is numbered among Louisa County’s best citizens.
Almost forty years ago Mr. McCormac reached Louisa County, and was one of the first settlers of Concord Township. Since his coming the wild and uncultivated prairies have been transformed into beautiful homes and farms, cities and villages have sprung up, and school-houses for the education of all have been built. In the work of progress and development he has always been identified, and to such men the county owes much of her present prosperity.
We are pleased to present the portrait of this worthy citizen of Concord Township to the patrons of the ALBUM, and his many friends will also be pleased when they open its pages and see his pleasant countenance.
