Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= History of Bay County Michigan pub. H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1883 [p. 26-27] JAMES J. McCORMICK The following biographical sketch of the late JAMES J. McCOR- MICK is by JUDGE ALBERT MILLER, who was his intimate friend for forty years: "JAMES J. McCORMICK, third son of JAMES McCORMICK, was born near Albany, N.Y., in January, 1817, and was in the fifty-sixth year of his age at the time of his death, which occurred in Bay City, November 25, 1872. "My first acquaintance with MR. McCORMICK happened in this wise: - In the Summer of 1882 I started on foot, from Saginaw, for a journey to Detroit, having with me a draft on JAMES ABBOTt, of Detroit, upon which to raise money to purchase some land from the government; but when I arrived at Flint, I learned that my draft had not been properly endorsed, and that I should have to return to Saginaw and get the endorsement before I could raise the money on it. While at Flint I was introduced by the late E. B. EWINGS, ESQ., to MR. JAMES McCORMICK (father of the late J. J.), who, although a stranger, kindly volunteered to loan me the money, so that I could proceed to Detroit and purchase the land I was anxious to secure. MR. McCORMICK'S family at that time resided in Detroit, and he was about sending his son, JAMES J., to Detroit, with a one-horse wagon, and I was offered a free ride, which, under the circumstances, was highly appreciated; for at that time there was no public conveyance on any portion of the road between Saginaw and Detroit. In passing over the road on that journey with JAMES J. McCORMICK, a familiar acquain- tance was formed, which ripened into a strong friendship for each other, which lasted wh le time lasted, with him, and the sever- ance of which is a great grief to myself. Afterwards the family removed to the Flint Biver, and engaged in farming. JAMES J., being the eldest son at home, bore the brunt of the hardship in supplying the family with the necessaries of life, every article of which, that was not produced from their own farm, had to be transported either from Flint or Saginaw, sometimes in a canoe, sometimes on horseback, and at other times, when neither of the above mentioned modes were available, the men were obliged to carry them on their own backs. James early evinced a good busi- ness talent, and for some time previous to becoming of age, transacted all his father's business. While the family resided at Pewanagowink, JAMES J. went to Kentucky, where he was engaged with an elder brother on a railroad contract. While there he became acquainted with Miss JANE SHELTON, an amiable young lady of prepossessing appearance, whom he married and brought with him on his return to Michigan. After his return he resided a short time at Pewanagowink, before removing, in l841, to Ports- mouth. At that time there were but few families residing in this vicinity; but the business enterprise of the Messrs. McCORMICK soon made a change in the appearance of the place. They repaired the old Portsmouth mill, and commenced the manufacture of lumber, and not finding a ready sale for it, they erected buildings for different persons in this vicinity, on contract, furnishing all the materials, and by that means used up considerable of their lumber. They erected buildings for JAMES G. BIRNEY, JOSEPH TROMBLEY, MEDOR TROMBLEY and CAPT. JOSEPH F. MARSAC. The ground upon which J. J. McCORMICK built his palatial residence was purchased, with a small house upon it, from CAPT. MARSAC, and paid for by erecting buildings for the Captain on other lands. In 1846, JAMES McCORMICK, SR., died at Portsmouth; and after that JAMES J. carried on business for himself, till 1848, when the writer bought an interest with him in the old mill, and we were connected in business till the Spring of 1849. "It was during the last mentioned period that the writer be- came more fully acquainted with the industry, integrity, and sterling manhood of the late deceased. During the whole course of our intimate business relations there was never an unpleasant word passed between us. We labored then with our own hands, each taking our turn at the saw with our employes, and attending to our business matters while they were asleep; but there was never a time when MR. McCORMICK was not willing to bear his full share of the burden, neither do I know of an instance where he desired to appropriate more of the proceeds of our joint labor to himself than he was willing to concede to me. MR. McCORMICK was ambitious, and when the news of the discovery of gold in California first reached him, he became anxious to participate in the golden har- vest that awaited those who would brave the dangers and undergo the hardships necessary to be endured by those who would reap it. The dangers, privations and hardships of the journey had no terrors for him, his only misgiving being in leaving his wife and children behind; but, after making provision for their sup- port during his absence, he procured an outfit, consisting of a yoke of oxen and a wagon, on which was loaded the necessary articles to be used on his journey, which he ferried across the Saginaw Biver on a raft of flattened timber, about the middle of March, 1849, and thus started alone to traverse the then almost unknown track across the continent to the Pacific Slope. He joined some acquaintances on the way, with whom he journeyed a portion of the distance, but was separated from them before reaching their destination, one of whom, MR. ALFRED GOYER, of Genesee County, he met, after having been in California a year, at a spring, where they were both watering their horses. They did not recognize each other till after inquiries were made as to their former residences, when they learned each other's identity. "After that I believe they remained together, and returned home in each other's company after an absence of two years and a half, or thereabouts. I know but little about MR. McCORMICK'S success in the mines. I know he brought home some money with him, with which he commenced the lumber business, building a mill near his late residence, at which he has been successfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber till about the year 1871, when he sold his mill to MR. WEBSTER. MR. McCORMICK'S first wife died in 1851, leaving three children, one daughter and two sons, two of whom survive their father, - the daughter, who is now the wife of MR. BASSETT, of the firm of BASSETT, SEED & Co., and the young- est son. MR. McCORMICK'S eldest son, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, entered the army of the Union, where his health was impaired, in consequence of which he died, in 1867. MR. McCORMICK married, for his second wife, Miss MATILDA WAYNE, who died in 1880. "MR. McCORMICK was a member of the first Council of Bay City, and was mayor of the city in 1869. In 1868 he erected the McCORMICK Block, on Water Street. He was also part owner of the Opera House. Few men had more personal friends, and his death left a vacancy difficult to fill. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and had received "the highest degree possible in this country." ===============================================================================