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         WILLIAM M. McCORMICK, manager of the Letts Co-operative Store, of Letts, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 3, 1856, and is a son of John and Esther (Allen) McCormick. His parents were also natives of Ohio, and resided in that State all their lives. Our subject passed his childhood and youth in his native State until his fourteenth year, when he came to Louisa County, Iowa, locating at Columbus City in the fall of 1870. There he attended the city schools until March 4, 1874, when he engaged as merchant’s clerk in the store of Colton & Garner, of that place, continuing with that firm until the 11th of July, 1882, when he formed a partnership in the general merchandising business in Columbus Junction with W. H. Hughes, under the firm name of Hughes & McCormick. That connection continued until the 1st of January, 1887, when Mr. Hughes sold his interest to Edward Jones, and the firm name became McCormick & Jones, but in February, 1888, Mr. McCormick sold out to his partner, and on the 1st of March following accepted his present position as manager of the Letts Co-operative Store.

At Columbus City, Iowa, May 17, 1878, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie D. Reiner, daughter of John and Harriet Reiner. She is a native of Louisa County, Iowa, and one child has been born of their union, Edwin R., born Oct. 6, 1879. Our subject is a Knight Templar . . .

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. . . Mason, a member of Columbus City Lodge No. 107, of Composite Chapter No. 97, and of Bethlehem Commandery No. 45, of Washington, Iowa. He is also a member of Liberty Lodge No. 22, K. of P., of Columbus Junction. Politically, Mr. McCormick is a Republican, but has never been an office-seeker. He has devoted his undivided attention to legitimate business pursuits, and has been eminently successful. He has continued his residence at Columbus Junction, though his place of business is at Letts. As a business man and citizen, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and associates in business in a marked degree. He possesses the essential elements of success in mercantile life—thorough business ability, courteous manners and strict integrity.