BIO:  James H. MCCORD, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Hanover Borough and Penn Township, Pg 66

REV. JAMES H. MCCORD, resident minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Hanover, was born in Lewistown, Penn., January 15, 1837; his parents, James and 
Mary (Willis) McCord were natives of Mifflin County, Penn., and of Irish and 
English descent, respectively.  They had four children – two sons and two 
daughters – of whom Rev. J. is the third now living.  He was brought up and 
educated at the public schools at Lewistown and at the academy.  When about 
sixteen years old he entered Dickinson’s Seminary at Williamsport, from which he 
graduated in three years as A. B.  He had intended to study law, but being taken 
sick he abandoned that idea and began to prepare for the ministry.  He at once 
entered conference and at the end of two years was ordained deacon and after 
four years, elder.  He served as deacon for two years in Frederick City, Md., 
and as elder in Baltimore City three years, and Huntingdon Methodist Episcopal 
Church for two years; at Danville, Penn., three years; Clearfield, Penn., two 
years; while at the latter place he completed the church, which cost $35,000.  
He then went to Tyrone for two years; Waynesborough, three years; Gettysburg, 
three years; Duncannon, Penn., one year; New Cumberland, Penn., three years; and 
in April, 1884, he came to Hanover.  During this time over 1,250 persons were 
taken into the church.  While in Baltimore he married more couples than any 
other minister – 300 in three years.  He was married at Clearfield, Penn., March 
13, 1871, to Clara Foley, daughter of Judge W. C. Foley.  They have one child, 
Maggie.  Rev. McCord is a member of the R. A. M. of Frederick city.  He has 
repeatedly given lectures before collegiate institutes.