BIO: James McCORMICK, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JAWB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
_______________________________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 224-225. 
_______________________________________________________________ 

  McCORMICK, JAMES, son of William McCormick, was born February 24, 
1801, near Silver Spring, Cumberland county, Pa.; died January 19, 
1870, at Harrisburg, Pa.  When less than five years of age he lost his 
father by a fatal accident.  Paternal care thus devolved upon his 
mother, a bright, determined woman, and by her his preparatory studies 
were carefully made, fitting him at an early age for Princeton College, 
where he graduated with reputation, and began the study of law with 
Andrew Carothers, Esq., of Carlisle.  He was admitted to the bar of 
Cumberland county in 1823, and to that of Dauphin county at the August 
term, 1825.  His most successful career never faltered as long as he 
was able to give his professional duties any attention, and, indeed, 
followed him after his retirement from all active pursuits.  He served 
in the borough council a long time, and was president of that body, 
also of the Dauphin deposit Bank, of the Harrisburg cemetery, of the 
Harrisburg Bridge Company, and one of the trustees of the Pine Street 
Presbyterian church.  In all these positions he was a cautious and able 
adviser.  He uniformly declined candidature for office, as also offers 
of the highest honors of his profession.  Upon the retirement he gave 
the powers of his active mind to the management of a large estate, 
consisting of furnaces, rolling mills, grist mills and farms.  All 
these interests were successful, and notwithstanding his physical 
disability, conducted in a masterly and systematic manner.  Mr. 
McCormick married, in 1830, Eliza Buehler, born November 11, 1806, at 
Erie, Pa.; died December 25, 1877, at Harrisburg, Pa.; only daughter of 
George Buehler and Maria Nagle.  She was, indeed, a most estimable 
woman.  To each noble charity, benevolent enterprise, philanthropic 
movement, Christian endeavor, hospital or home in the city of 
Harrisburg she was a friend, promoter and benefactor.  From no good 
cause or charitable work or needy poor did she withhold her hand or 
deny her bounty.