My Genealogy Hound

JOHN J. McCORMICK, the well known Norristown and Bridgeport business man, is a native of Port Kennedy, Upper Merion township, where he was born August 9, 1870.

When he was two years of age his parents removed to the borough of Bridgeport. He attended St. Patrick’s parochial school at Norristown, but at the early age of thirteen left his studies to accept a position in the grocery store of Robert Griffith, in Bridgeport. He remained two years, leaving to accept a more lucrative position with Robert J. Patton, a flour and feed dealer of the same town. Mr. McCormick, then a mere boy, remained in his second position until arriving at the age of manhood, being with Mr. Patton seven years, at which time he decided to embark in the grocery business for himself in his home town.

In June, 1892, Mr. McCormick, with a meagre education and a slender purse, his entire capital being eighty-five dollars, started his first business enterprise in the corner store at Ford and Fourth streets, Bridgeport. Beginning on a small scale he has by perseverance and giving his undivided attention to his work, built up his business so that today he occupies his own place on the corner of Rush and Holstein streets, and said to be the best equipped and most modern building in the grocery line in eastern Pennsylvania. Six men are employed. In June, 1899, he purchased the grocery and wholesale liquor store on Main street, Norristown, formerly conducted by the late John McDermott. This combination store is the only one of its kind in Montgomery county. Being in business so few years, it is evident that Mr. McCormick owes his success to his own exertions and ambitions, it being very apparent that he is a self-made man. In politics he is a Democrat. He served two terms as a member of town council in the borough of Bridgeport. He is, however, at present no politician, being too much engrossed with business affairs. He is treasurer of the William B. Rambo Building and Loan Association. In religion Mr. McCormick affiliates with the Catholic church, being a member of St. Augustine’s parish, Bridgeport.

On June 12, 1895, Mr. McCormick was married to Ella E. Malone, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, in the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Mrs. McCormick was for several years teacher in the borough schools of her native town, having the distinction of being appointed while still a high school pupil, and being the youngest teacher in the corps at the time of her election. Later she attended a preparatory school conducted by the late county superintendent, W. N. Wolverton, of Northumberland county, at Milton.

Mr. McCormick’s father, Martin McCormick, was a native of Ireland. He was born in Queen’s county, and came to America in 1850, when twenty-three years of age. For many years he was employed as powder-man at the extensive lime quarries of John R. Kennedy at Port Kennedy. He died September 1, 1900, at his home in Bridgeport, where he resided since 1872. He married Ann Brophy, at Norristown. She was born in Ireland, but reared in England, coming to America in 1858. Nine children survive them. Mr. McCormick’s mother died October 16, 1901. Their children are: 1. Catharine, Mrs. James Lawless, of Bridgeport. 2. Annie E., wife of Peter Burns, of Bridgeport. 3. Thomas E., employed by John J. McCormick; married Julia Crowe. 4. Martin A., a landscape gardener at Bryn Mawr, who married Mary Durham. 5. John J., the subject of this sketch. 6. William J., hotel keeper at Bridgeport; married Annie McDermott, of that place. 7. Margaret M., in charge of John J. McCormick’s Bridgeport store. 8. Mary. 9. Dennis J., also in the employ of his brother, John J. McCormick.

Mrs. John J. McCormick is the daughter of James and Margaret (Hayden) Malone. In his early youth Mr. Malone was a baker. He died in February, 1885. Margaret, his wife, died August 17, 1897. Both were born in Ireland, coming to America at an early age. They were married in New York, a few years later removing to Pennsylvania, where their family was reared. Alexander J., clothier of Philadelphia, married Nellie T. Whitney, who died June 16, 1904. Mary K. married H. J. McCafferty, teacher at Locust Gap, Northumberland county. Their youngest child, Ella E., is wife of the subject of our sketch, John J. McCormick.