Shasta-El Dorado-Tuolumne County CA Archives Biographies.....McCormick, James 1831 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 21, 2005, 5:06 pm

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

JAMES McCORMICK is one of the first settlers and one of the most prominent
business men of Redding, Shasta County, California. He is a native of
Pennsylvania, born in Philadelphia, November 1, 1831. He comes of good old
Scotch-Presbyterian stock. His grandfather, John McCormick, was one of the hardy
sons of Scotland who settled in County Donegal, Ireland, and reared his family
there. His son James was born at that place, and when he grew to manhood, in
1829, married Isabella Black, also a native of Donegal County. Immediately after
their marriage they emigrated direct to Philadelphia to make their and fortune
in the United States. They settled in Philadelphia and Mr. McCormick engaged in
the manufacture of starch. Of the two children born to them in that city, the
subject of our sketch was the second. The family removed to Quincy, Illinois,
where the father purchased and improved a farm. The mother died in 1845, and the
father lived on the property until his death occurred, in 1886. He lived the
life of an upright and worthy citizen.

  James was given his father's name that he might be an honor to it and
perpetuate it in the world. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, went
to school in winter and drove the team and held the plow in summer. When he
reached his majority, like his parents, he started out for himself. He left his
home in Quincy, Illinois, in December, 1852, and arrived at San Francisco,
February 5, 1853, making the trip via the Isthmus of Panama. Little did he think
when he came to the El Dorado of the West in search of gold, that he was going
to help improve and built the grandest commonwealth of the United States. His
first venture was to dig for gold in Tuolumne County. Some months later he went
to Coloma. The business of teaming was then very profitable and he engaged in
that for a time. He afterward purchased a miners' supply store in El Dorado
County, and conducted it for two years. After this, and until its collapse, he
was in the employ of the Adams Express Company. Then he acted as Wells Fargo &
Co's, agent nine years, and purchased millions of dollars worth of gold dust. He
removed to Woodland, Yolo County, and worked in the interest of the Western
Union Telegraph Company two years. In 1873 Mr. McCormick came to Redding, and
the following three years was operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company.

  In 1876 he went East to the great Centennial and also visited his father and
his friends whom he had not seen for twenty-five years. On his return to Redding
the firm of McCormick, Saeltzer & Co. was formed, Mr. W. L. Smith being the
other member. They started with $9,000 capital, and conducted the business with
remarkable success for ten. years. At the end of that time they incorporated
under the firm name of the McCormick-Saeltzer Company, their capital having
increased to $100,000. They have built a brick store, 70x200, which comprises
five departments, each 40 x 70 feet. They wholesale and retail general
merchandise and furnish supplies to Northern California and a part of Oregon.
Mr. McCormick has been one of the busy factors in building the city of Redding;
was one of those who aided in its incorporation; served two terms on its board
of trustees. He was one of the originators of the Shasta County Bank and its
first vice-president; also aided in starting the Bank of Northern California,
and is its present vice-president.

  The day after he was twenty-one years of age Mr. McCormick voted for General
Scott for President of the United States. Since the organization of the
Republican party he has been one of its consistent adherents. His marriage
occurred at the residence of Judge Bush, December 16, 1877, the lady of his
choice being Elizabeth Buckingham, a native of Whitestown, New York. He is now
engaged in building one of the finest residences in the city.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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