EDWIN R. McCORMICK.

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         Edwin R. McCormick, cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts, Iowa, was born in Columbus City in 1879, his parents being William M. McCormick and Lizzie D. (Reiner) McCormick. The father, William M. McCormick, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, his mother being of Quaker belief, and tracing her genealogy back to the Prince of Wales. After the death of his parents, William M. McCormick came to Columbus City, Iowa, in 1870, shortly after his arrival accepting a position with Colton & Garner in a general merchandise store, where he remained until 1882, at which time he and W. H. Hughes opened a dry-goods store in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Selling out his interest in 1888, Mr. McCormick came to Letts and took charge of the Letts Co-Operative store, at that time one of the largest stores of its kind in the state. In 1894 he resigned this position to accept the position of cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank, then being organized, with which institution he continued to be identified until his demise in October, 1905.

         The mother, Lizzie D. McCormick, was born in Washington county, Iowa, her parents being John F. and Harriet (Maxwell) Reiner. She continues to make her home in Letts, near her children, Edwin R. and Max J. McCormick. She and William M. McCormick were married in Columbus City, Iowa.

         In the acquirement of his education, Edwin R. McCormick attended the public schools of Columbus Junction until 1890, when he with his parents moved to Letts. After graduating from the Letts high school, he pursued a special course at Highland Park College, Des Moines, and upon his return to Letts, entered the bank as assistant cashier, and was appointed cashier after the death of his father in 1905, having been connected with the bank for nearly fifteen years. The Citizens Savings Bank is well and favorably known as one of the largest and strongest banks in Louisa county.

         On March 4, 1903, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Garrett, a native of Louisa county, and a daughter of Alexander M. (Dick) and Laura (Dill) Garrett. Her parents, who are both natives of . . .

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. . . Louisa county, were married at Fredonia, and in 1888 moved from a farm to Letts, where Mr. Garrett has since been connected with the firm of Garrett Brothers, dealers in grain and live stock. In 1910 Mr. Garrett was elected by his constituency to the office of state senator, representing his district in a capable manner. Mrs. McCormick is the second in order of birth in her father’s family. A younger sister, Augusta Mae, is the wife of Floyd S. Barnes of Marcus, Iowa, cashier of the First National Bank. The brother, J. Bertram Garrett, lives on a farm near Letts.

         Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have two young daughters, Harriet, who was born in December, 1904; and Jeanette Laura, whose birth occurred in March, 1909.

         Like most men in business, Mr. McCormick has a “hobby,” his being the breeding of fine poultry. His flock of Black Langshans has carried off many ribbons and silver trophies at the leading poultry shows of the country. In connection with the banking business, Mr. McCormick handles the largest fire insurance agency in the city, representing the leading fire insurance companies. Mr. McCormick is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, and the Mystic Shriners. Mrs. McCormick is a member of the Eastern Star lodge, the Methodist Episcopal church and other social and religious orders of Letts. While Mr. McCormick votes with the republican party, he has never been a seeker for office, but has held many positions of trust in his community, where he and his wife have hosts of friends.