Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 764 - 765 

JOHN McCORMICK, a retired citizen, in April, 1870, came to this county and took up a Government claim on the west side of the Arkansas River, which now lies within the city limits of Wichita. There was then only one house in sight. He had secured a quarter-section, and he put up a log cabin with a dirt roof and floor, which remained the habitation of himself and family nine months. Their next dwelling was a frame building quite pretentious for those days, but this also in due time gave way to the present substantial structure, which is provided with the comforts and luxuries of modern life.

            The career of our subject is not very unlike that of so many others who came to Southern Kansas following the period of its greatest trials. Like others he persevered amid difficulties and dangers, and like them is now reaping the reward of a well-spent life. He has watched with the deepest interest the growth and development of Sedgwick County, and has always put his shoulder to the wheel in assisting to further the enterprises whose object has been the general welfare of the people. Upon his own premises he cultivated the soil, gradually effecting the improvements which have rendered the property valuable, setting out fruit, shade and ornamental trees, and from time to time adding the embellishments which now constitute it one of the attractive homes in the city. His labors have met with success, as in raising wheat and corn he never lost a crop. From 125 trees in 1885 he gathered 400 bushels of apples.

            A native of Henry County, Iowa, our subject was born on the 28th of February, 1842. His parents, John and Sarah (Bush) McCormick, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. The paternal grandfather, Seth McCormick, died in Pennsylvania, and William Bush, the mother's father, departed this life at his home in Indiana. John McCormick, a man of sound sense and excellent judgment, engaged considerably in merchandising and farming in connection with carpentering. He left his native State in early life, locating first in Indiana, whence he migrated into Henry, Iowa, about 1840. Here he took up 160 acres of Government land, from which he improved a good farm and where he spent the remainder of his life, his death taking place about 1872.

            The mother of our subject had died in Henry County, Iowa, in 1847. John McCormick was thrice married, the latter lady being his second wife. He was the father of eight children, five now living, namely: Margaret and George C., by the first wife, and by the second, Nicholas, John, and Hettie, Mrs. Mitts, of Wichita.

            The boyhood of our subject was spent upon the farm, where he continued until the outbreak of the Rebellion. He was among the first to respond to the call for troops for the preservation of the Union, and enlisted in Company E, 1st Iowa Cavalry, and followed the fortunes of a soldier thereafter for a period of four years and nine months. During this time he was mostly engaged in picket and scouting duty, not seeing any regular battle, but at the same time exposed fully as much to danger and hardship as the fighting soldier. He escaped unharmed, and after receiving his honorable discharge returned to his home in Iowa.

            Mr. McCormick two years later came to this State, and taking up his residence in Topeka, engaged in teaming and trading, and finally traveled over the State on a prospecting tour, having in view the establishment of a permanent home. The result of this venture we have already indicated at the beginning of this biography. After his return from the army Mr. McCormick was married, Nov. 15, 1866, to Miss Mary, daughter of Perry and Eliza (Kinkaid) Elder, natives of Pennsylvania, and the father a farmer by occupation. Mrs. McCormick was born Aug. 18, 1844, in Westmoreland County, Pa. She acquired her education in the common schools and continued with her parents until her marriage. Her grandfathers were William Elder and Robert Kinkaid.

            Our subject and his wife commenced life together at their own home, where they have since wisely remained, having lost no time or money in moving about from one place to another. Their household includes five interesting children, namely: Elfie E., Lulu P., Nellie, Myrtie M. and Arthur E. The eldest is nineteen years of age, and the youngest ten. Mr. McCormick has been quite prominent in local affairs, having served at different times as a Director in his school district, Township Trustee, Treasurer and Clerk. He is an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and has contributed of his means to the establishment of educational and religious institutions.

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