OBIT: John McCORMICK, 1897, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by June Weston Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ THE DEATH RECORD. John McCormick, the Oldest Trainmaster in the Employ of the Company, Passes to His Reward. John McCormick, of 1125 Eighth avenue, the oldest trainmaster in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad, died at his home at 11.30 o'clock yesterday morning of heart disease. He had been ill for more than a year. The deceased was born and reared on his father's farm near Mechanicsburg, Indiana county, Pa., the date of his nativity being November 29, 1827. At the age of 16 years he went to work for Clark & Co., canal boatmen, being afterward promoted to the captaincy of a boat. Later he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad company as brakeman and soon rose to the position of conductor. In 1852 he was made trainmaster which position he held until the time of his death. Deceased was a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Veteran Employes' association, and also a member of the Old Boatmen's association. He was one of the founders of the Second Presbyterian church and a consistent member of that congregation until the time of his demise. Mr. McCormick was twice married, his second wife having died nine months ago. These children born to the first wife survive him: Mrs. Mary Baird, Ironton, Mo.; W. S. McCormick, Paducah, Ky.; Mrs. Charles Walker, McKeesport, Pa., and Mrs. E. R. Hammond, Bolivar, Pa. Also these children residing at home born to his second wife: Mrs. R. S. Weisgarver, John McCormick, jr., Miss Ella McCormick, and T. C. McCormick. These step-children are also yet living: Mrs. H. S. McDowell, Denver, Color., and C. W. Renner, of this city. Mr. McCormick is also survived by these brothers and sisters: Robert and Blain McCormick and Mrs. Cal. Arthurs, of this city; Mrs. Mills, of Cumberland, Md., and Mrs. Susan Burns, of Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services will be held at the house Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in charge of Rev. Henry Howard Stiles. Interment in Fairview cemetery. The Masonic fraternity will have charge of the ceremonies at the tomb. Morning Tribune, Thursday, December 30, 1897