Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 757 - 758

NICHOLAS McCORMICK, well known among the solid residents of Wichita, being identified with its interests since its early history, is a forcible illustration of the self-made man. Thrown upon his own resources when but a boy, he successfully paddled his own canoe, and is now numbered among the capitalists of Southern Kansas. Starting out from the home roof when a lad fifteen years of age, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade, at which he served three years and five months in Trenton, Henry Co., Iowa. He continued in that locality five years thereafter as a journeyman, under one employer, and then opened a shop for himself at Marshall, in that county. He operated this successfully two years, then sold out, and was given the position of mail contractor, operating from Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, to Washington, the county seat of Washington County.

            The course of our subject had been uniformly successful, and now selling out, he invested his capital in the confectionery business at Mt. Pleasant. A resident there two years, he then decided upon a change of location and occupation, and coming to this county, whose fertile soil and flattering prospects were already attracting the attention of the enterprising emigrant, he took up a claim of 160 acres on Cowskin Creek, and put up a one-story frame house. He then commenced breaking the land, planted ornamental shade and fruit trees, and sold out two years later, at a good figure. He now moved down the creek three miles further and purchased another tract of land, upon which he farmed four years. Judging from the outlook at that time, he decided that he could still further improve his condition financially, and coming within two miles of the growing city of Wichita, purchased a half-section of land, upon which he operated eight years. Of this 160 acres are now laid out in town lots, having sold this in March, 1887, at $500 per acre. Mr. McCormick took up his residence in the city in 1885, and since that time has been largely engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate.

            The parents of our subject, John and Sarah (Bush) McCormick, natives of Pennsylvania, left the Keystone State, and settled among the pioneers of Shelby County, Ind., in which our subject was born on the 1st of October, 1839. His paternal grandparents, Seth and Margaret (Simmons) McCormick, were also natives of the Keystone State, and engaged extensively in farming pursuits. They were the parents of ten children, most of whom spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. William Bush, the maternal grandfather, was the father of two children.

            John McCormick, the father of our subject, was reared on the farm, but preferred carpentering, and served an apprenticeship at this trade three years, and followed it the greater part of his life, although engaged in both merchandising and farming. He removed with his family to Iowa in 1840, locating in Henry County, where he became owner of a large tract of land, but at the same time operated as a builder and contractor. He lived to be quite aged, his death taking place in 1872. The mother had preceded her husband to the other life when a young woman, in 1847. Both parents were members of the Church of God. John McCormick was three times married, and had by his first wife, the mother of our subject, three children -- Nicholas, John and Hettie. Hettie is the wife of George Mitts, and they are also residents of Wichita.

            Nicholas McCormick, as we have already indicated, spent his boyhood under the home roof, and then began the career which has proved so successful. While a resident of Delano Township, he officiated as Clerk of his school district, and since casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, has been an ardent supporter of Republican principles. While a resident of Henry County, Iowa, he was married, on the 20th of January, 1858, when not nineteen years of age, to Miss Rachel A., daughter of Henry H. and Lucinda (Hines) Way, who were natives of Marion County, Ind. They removed to Iowa in 1840, settling in Henry County, where their daughter Rachel was born July 5, 1843. Mr. Way was an extensive farmer, a worthy citizen, and a Quaker in religious belief. The mother was a Methodist. The parents spent the remaining years of their lives at the homestead in Henry County.

            There were born to the parents of Mrs. McCormick nine children, of whom but three are living, namely: Nathan J., Rachel A. and Alvin S. The two brothers are residents of Custer County, Dak. Her paternal grandparents were Paul and Lovina (Hiatt) Way, natives of Ohio, where Grandfather Way carried on farming in early manhood, but after removed to Iowa, and died in Henry County, that State. The mother survived her husband, and spent her last years in Adair County, Mo. The great-grandfather, Seth Way, was also born in Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. On the mother's side the grandfather, John Hines, married a Miss Branson; they were both natives of Ohio, and like the other grandparents, had large families.

            To Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have been born four children -- Wilber H., Martha L., Gertrude M. and Herbert. Martha is the wife of Albert Cartwright, a grandson of the famous Methodist preacher, Peter Cartwright; they live in Los Angeles, Cal. Gertrude is the wife of E. P. Hill, and also lives in Los Angeles, as does also the eldest son, Wilber H.; Herbert makes his home with his parents. The eldest is twenty-seven years of age, and the youngest fourteen. The beautiful and valuable family residence is located at No. 1122 University avenue. The dwelling was erected at a cost of $6,000. Mrs. McCormick is a member of the Christian Church.

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