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William H. McCormck

William H. McCormick, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising, owns a fine farm of three hundred and fifteen acres on section 6, and in Bremer County, and his home is one of the best residences in Banks Township. He was born in Albany, N. Y., March 4, 1835, and is of Irish descent. His father, Michael McCormick was born in Ireland in 1796, and wedded Mary Kerwin, who was born in the same country in 1801. Leaving their native land, they came to this country in the early part of the present century and spent their last days in Brighton, Wis., where the mother died in 1845, the father surviving her some fifteen years. In their family were four sons and one daughter who grew to mature years and seven children who died in infancy or early youth. Michael died in Kenosha County, Wis., thirty-three years ago, leaving a widow and one child; Patrick, who married Ann Cunningham, by whom he has four children, is extensively engaged in farming in Kenosha County; James who resides in the same county, is also an agriculturalist; Ann is the wife of Nicholas McCormick, a farmer of Wisconsin, and their union has been blessed with four children.

In our subject we see the youngest of this family. When a lad of seven summers, in 1842, he accompanied his parents on their removal from Albany, N. Y., to Kenosha County, Wis., where he made his home until going to Rock County in 1864. He there spent seven years, then in 1871 removed to Illinois and remained there three years and in 1874 took up his residence upon his present farm. His marriage was celebrated in Kenosha County, Wis., February 18, 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael and Adelia (Cross) Conry. Her father was born in Ireland, in 1810, and coming to America in his youth met and married Miss Cross, who was born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1816. Unto them were born three sons and five daughters, the eldest of whom is Mrs. McCormick who was born in Rutland County, Vt., August 30, 1841. Shortly afterward the family removed to Rock County, Wis., where was born James who married Elizabeth Ladieu of Will County, Ill., and resides at Allen's Grove, Wis., with his wife and six children; Martha and Adelia who are at home; Mary, wife of Clarence Wooster, station agent in Rock County, Wis., by whom she has three children; and Augustine and Emma J., at home.

On coming to this county Mr. McCormick purchased two hundred and eighty-five acres of land to which he added until his farm assumed its present size. His land is under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields and many improvements making the whole a very desirable property and indicating the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who with his family, there lives in comfort. The home has been blessed with the presence of nine children, but two were taken away by death and a number have left the parental roof. Adelia, the eldest, born March 18, 1856, in Kenosha County, Wis., is the wife of Fred J. Wilkie, a resident farmer of Sumner, Iowa; Julia E., born March 20, 1857, is yet at home; Adeline, born January 1, 1860, is the wife of James B. Lowe, and resides with her husband and two children in Sumner, where Mr. Lowe engages in merchandising; William D., born September 22, 1861, is at home; Rollin B., born April 18, 1863, died December 19, 1877; Marietta, born March 20, 1865, is living at home, Frank S., born August 25, 1868, is the next younger; Eugene I., born March 12, 1872, is now attending the Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Another child of the family was James, twin brother of Marietta, who died in infancy.

Mr. McCormick is liberal in his political views but leans toward the Democratic party. He is well known throughout the community both as a prominent and progressive farmer and as a valued citizen. He and his family hold a high position in the social world.