My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. ROBERT B. McCORMICK, farmer, was born in this county May 4, 1832, son of William C. and Dorcas (Irwin) McCormick, both natives of North Carolina. The father immigrated to this county from North Carolina in 1829, and settled where Carter Creek Station now stands. He farmed for a livelihood and was quite successful. His death occurred September, 1834, at Spring Hill. He was a man of strong religious feeling, and was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother died in 1870. Our subject remained and assisted his parents on the farm until he was twenty one years of age, securing a good, practical education in the district school, and subsequently attended the Franklin University, graduating from that institution at the sessions of 1858 and 1859. He then came to his present neighborhood and established the Union University, of which he was principal until May, 1861. He enlisted in Capt. Pointer’s company of the Third Tennessee Regiment, serving as a high private for about six months. He was a non-commissioned officer until the capture of Fort Donelson, when he was captured and remained in prison at Springfield, Ill., for seven months. He was then exchanged, and after the reorganization of the Confederate forces was elected captain of Company E, Third Tennessee Regiment, and remained as such until the close of the war. In 1866 he wedded Anna Adkinson, a native of this county, who died June 19, 1879. They had four children by this union; Maury M., Lizzie D., Robert B. and Dot, all living. Mr. McCormick taught school until 1868, when he engaged in the grist and saw-milling business. In 1879 he returned to school teaching, and in connection farmed to some extent. In 1883, on account of ill health, he quit school teaching and began farming, and this he has followed ever since. January 11, 1885, he wedded his present wife, Amanda Eason. Capt. McCormick is a Democrat in politics and an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church.