Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County,
Indiana, 1888, pp. 463-464
JAMES McCORMICK, one of the successful farmers of Wabash Township, residing on
section 24, is a native of Ohio, born in Greene County, January 8, 1822, a son
of PHILLIP and MARY (CRAIN) McCORMICK. The father was born in the year
1792, and was married in Greene County, Ohio, where he resided until 1826.
In that year he came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and settled on section 24,
Wabash Township, where he entered 200 acres of land from the Government.
He had visited the county in the year 1825, and assisted in building the first
hewed log house where Lafayette now stands. He added to his original tract
of land until he had 720 acres, which by years of toil and persevering energy he
improved and brought under fine cultivation, this land being as good as could be
found in Wabash Township. He died an honored and respected citizen
February 6, 1855, his widow surviving him until January 1865. They were
the parents of six children, of whom three yet survive--JAMES, the subject of
this sketch; MRS. SARAH A. YOUNG and MRS. RACHEL RUSSELL. MATILDA J., ELIZABETH
and ANDREW J. are deceased.
JAMES McCORMICK was but four years of age when brought by his parents to this
county, and here he was reared amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life, and
his educational advantages were very limited. His youth was passed on a
farm, and farming has been the principal vocation of his life. He was
united in marriage to MISS ALCINDA MEEKENS, who was born in Hampshire County,
Virigina, August 30, 1825, a daughter of JOSEPH and ELIZABETH (LUNFORD) MEEKENS,
who were among the early settlers of Tippecanoe County. MR. MEEKENS
settled in Lafayette in November, 1832, and established the first market in that
now prosperous city. He removed with his family to Jasper County, Indiana,
where he died June 15, 1857. MRS. MEEKENS died in the same county, November 7,
1847. They had eight children born to them, of whom MRS. McCORMICK is the
only one living at the present writing. The names of the deceased are:
JAMES, LOUIS, THORNTON, MARGARET, TAMOR, RICHARD and ELIZABETH.
Of the twelve children born to MR. and MRS. McCORMICK, but six are living:
REBECCA, wife of THOMAS BACEY; WASHINGTON F., THOMAS J., JOSEPH P., ANDREW J.
and ULYSSES G. The deceased are: MARGARET, MARY, JAMES C. and three who
died in infancy unnamed.
MR. McCORMICK is one of the substantial men of his township, and by his fair and
honorable dealings and strict integrity he has gained the confidence and respect
of the entire community. He is the owner of 390 acres of choice land,
which is well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and
commodious. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican
party.
Contributed by Adina Watkins Dyer
23 Jul 2000