My Genealogy Hound

HENRY H. McCORMICK. Among those who have been called to public service in Woodson County is Henry H. McCormick, who for two terms filled the office of county clerk, being one of the most capable officials that ever occupied the position. He is now a leading representative of commercial interests in Yates Center, where he is engaged in the hardware business. Since 1868 he has been a resident of this portion of the state, having come to Kansas from Morgan County, Ill., where he was born on the 29th of August, 1851. His grandfather, James McCormick, was born in Kentucky and was a descendant of one of the old families of Virginia. He had a brother who served in the Mexican war.

James William McCormick, the father of our subject, was born in1817, in Kentucky, where he spent his boyhood days. He afterward became a resident of Maysville, O., and removed thence to Morgan County, Ill., at an early period in its development. He followed farming and the milling business in that state. In 1868 he removed to Kansas and settled on a homestead in Owl Creek township, Woodson County, where he resided until a few years before his death.

Mr. McCormick entertained sympathy for the Union cause, and was an outspoken abolitionist but was too old and infirm to join the army. Although his educational advantages in youth were limited, he was a man of strong convictions and outspoken in defense of everything in which he believed. He kept well informed on the issues of the day and was thus enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. His death occurred in Iola, Kans., in 1895, when he had attained a ripe old age. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Ruth Rannels, and was a daughter of Mr. Rannels, of Paris, Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCormick were born five children: James W. G., of Arkansas; Carrie, widow of Nathan Kinney, of Iola; Henry H.; Ralph L., of Morgan County, Ill.; and Sarah A., wife of H. E. Van Deman, of Parksley, Virginia.

Henry H. McCormick was seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Kansas. He acquired his early education in the district schools, afterward studied in the Geneva academy, and completed his course in the State Agricultural College of Kansas. He subsequently engaged in teaching school for four years, completing his educational labors at Geneva. He then engaged in farming and dealing in cattle, making a specialty of Short Horn cattle. His attention was devoted to farm work until the fall of 1891 when he entered upon the duties of the position of county clerk to which he had been elected November of that year. He filled the position so acceptably that he was re-elected for a second term, and when the time expired he retired from office with a most creditable record.

Mr. McCormick afterward engaged in the hardware business as the successor of W. A. Snover. He conducted the business in Yates Center three years and then removed to Chanute, Kas., where he carried on business in the same line for a year. He then disposed of his store and returned to Woodson County, erecting in Yates Center the McCormick block, in which he is now conducting a hardware store, enjoying a large and well merited patronage.

On the 22d of February, 1881, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Jennie DeWitt, a daughter of Capt. G. DeWitt, of Allen County, one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of that portion of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have been born the following named children: Florence A., Lewis H., John Knox, Nellie C., Myrtle M., Vera Irene and Henrietta. The family is one widely and favorably known in the community. Mr. McCormick has an extensive acquaintance and is recognized as a local leader in the ranks of the Republican party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. His private life and his public career are alike commendable and many are the friends of Henry H. McCormick.