History of Lycoming County by J F Meginnes
SETH T. McCORMICK was one of the best-known members of the Lycoming County bar throughout his long residence in Williamsport, and his prominent association with the municipal affairs of that city made his name a household word in every part of the West Branch valley. The family is of Irish origin and came from the North of Ireland to the Cumberland valley, whence Seth McCormick, grandfather of our subject, removed to White Deer valley prior to the Revolution. In 1778, when the settlers along the West Branch fled before the scalping knife of the ruthless savage, at what is familiarly known as the "Big Runaway," the McCormick family took refuge for a time at Fort Augusta, which stood on the site of Sunbury, whence they returned to White Doer valley after the danger had passed. His father, Seth McCormick, was born, lived, and (lied within the limits of Lycoming County, and the name is closely interwoven with the growth and progress of this section of the State throughout his history.
Mr. McCormick was born in Washington township, Lycoming County, oil the 17th of January 1814, received a common school education, and spent his early life in the work of a farmer and lumberman, which pursuits he followed in White Deer valley until he was forty-four years of age. He was married in March 1837, to Ellen, daughter of William Miller, of Washington township, who bore him a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Sarah E., who married William D. Oakes of Ogle county, Illinois; Henry Clay, of Williamsport; William M., of Philadelphia; Horace G., a physician of Williamsport; Hannah, wife of Thomas L. Painter of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Frank H., and Seth T., both of whom reside in this city. In 1861 Mr. McCormick determined to study law, and with that intention in view, he removed Williamsport. He entered the office of W. W. Willard, and applied himself to the study of the law with such diligence and assiduity that he was admitted to practice in 1862. By his indomitable perseverance and energy, backed by a close application to business, he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, and in February 1867, he took his son, Henry Clay, into partnership with him, and thus formed the well-known law firm of S. T. &.H. C. McCormick, which stood in the foremost rank of the legal profession.
Mr. McCormick was an excellent businessman and acquired a comfortable estate. He took an active interest in the development of every legitimate enterprise tending to promote the interests of his chosen home. He did a great deal of work in the effort to secure the location of the Middle district penitentiary in Williamsport. He was the compiler of the book of the charter, laws, and ordinances of the city, published by the council, and the very full indexes of the work bear testimony to the thoroughness of his labors.
In early manhood Mr. McCormick was a Whig, with strong Abolition tendencies, and in 1856 he joined the Republican party, and supported Fremont for the presidency, and also voted for Lincoln in 1860. But he was strongly opposed, to the course of that party at the breaking out of the civil war, solely on constitutional grounds, and in 1861 he became a Democrat, and he remained a stanch advocate of Democratic principles up to his death. His prominent connection with the fight for honest municipal government is still vividly remembered in every part of the county. In 1869 he was elected to the common council, to represent the Second and Eighth wards, and he took such a bold and decided stand against the Nicholson pavement swindle, and was such a thorn in the side of its abettors, that he was legislated out of office by an act of the legislature, passed hurriedly in 1870, with that intention, abolishing the common council. In 1871 he was the Democratic nominee for city recorder, and made a good race, but the city was heavily Republican, and he was defeated by a small majority. In 1872 he was elected to the common council from the Eighth ward, and was continuously re-elected to a seat in that body tip to the day of his death. Most of the time he was chairman of the finance committee, and his carefulness saved the city thousands of dollars. In the council he was the recognized leader of the party that fought corruption and extravagance, and no man wielded more influence or commanded more respect from his associates. The following tribute to his memory is all editorial from the Gazette and Bulletin of December 2, 1878:
In the death of S. T. McCormick, Esq., Williamsport has lost one of her most valuable and truly representative citizens. As a member of the common council for years, he had familiarized himself throughout with the laws, and no member of that body ever took a deeper interest in municipal legislation, nor worked harder to promote the welfare of the city. Having been honored with repeated elections to council, he appreciated the confidence reposed in him by his constituents, and looked after their interests with sleepless vigilance. It is safe to say that for nearly ten years past three-fourths of the ordinances were drawn by his own hand, and as chairman of the finance committee he labored incessantly to guard the city treasury. He was a positive as well as representative man, and always ready to give, as well as to take blows, in the advocacy of what he deemed to be right. In the course of a long public career, and in the many heated discussions which arose over matters of public policy, it would be strange if he did not make some enemies; but we venture to say that those who may have fought him with the most energy in life will be among the first to forgive and forget, now that he sleeps the last sleep. As a local legislator he was a recognized leader the "great commoner of Williamsport and his absence from the council will be severely felt, for where is the mail in that body who can fill his place" We say this in all sincerity, because we believe it to be true, and we doubt if there will be a dissenting voice, in or out of council, to the declaration.
SETH T. McCORMICK was one of the best-known members of the Lycoming County bar throughout his long residence in Williamsport, and his prominent association with the municipal affairs of that city made his name a household word in every part of the West Branch valley. The family is of Irish origin and came from the North of Ireland to the Cumberland valley, whence Seth McCormick, grandfather of our subject, removed to White Deer valley prior to the Revolution. In 1778, when the settlers along the West Branch fled before the scalping knife of the ruthless savage, at what is familiarly known as the "Big Runaway," the McCormick family took refuge for a time at Fort Augusta, which stood on the site of Sunbury, whence they returned to White Doer valley after the danger had passed. His father, Seth McCormick, was born, lived, and (lied within the limits of Lycoming County, and the name is closely interwoven with the growth and progress of this section of the State throughout his history.
Mr. McCormick was born in Washington township, Lycoming County, oil the 17th of January 1814, received a common school education, and spent his early life in the work of a farmer and lumberman, which pursuits he followed in White Deer valley until he was forty-four years of age. He was married in March 1837, to Ellen, daughter of William Miller, of Washington township, who bore him a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Sarah E., who married William D. Oakes of Ogle county, Illinois; Henry Clay, of Williamsport; William M., of Philadelphia; Horace G., a physician of Williamsport; Hannah, wife of Thomas L. Painter of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Frank H., and Seth T., both of whom reside in this city. In 1861 Mr. McCormick determined to study law, and with that intention in view, he removed Williamsport. He entered the office of W. W. Willard, and applied himself to the study of the law with such diligence and assiduity that he was admitted to practice in 1862. By his indomitable perseverance and energy, backed by a close application to business, he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, and in February 1867, he took his son, Henry Clay, into partnership with him, and thus formed the well-known law firm of S. T. &.H. C. McCormick, which stood in the foremost rank of the legal profession.
Mr. McCormick was an excellent businessman and acquired a comfortable estate. He took an active interest in the development of every legitimate enterprise tending to promote the interests of his chosen home. He did a great deal of work in the effort to secure the location of the Middle district penitentiary in Williamsport. He was the compiler of the book of the charter, laws, and ordinances of the city, published by the council, and the very full indexes of the work bear testimony to the thoroughness of his labors.
In early manhood Mr. McCormick was a Whig, with strong Abolition tendencies, and in 1856 he joined the Republican party, and supported Fremont for the presidency, and also voted for Lincoln in 1860. But he was strongly opposed, to the course of that party at the breaking out of the civil war, solely on constitutional grounds, and in 1861 he became a Democrat, and he remained a stanch advocate of Democratic principles up to his death. His prominent connection with the fight for honest municipal government is still vividly remembered in every part of the county. In 1869 he was elected to the common council, to represent the Second and Eighth wards, and he took such a bold and decided stand against the Nicholson pavement swindle, and was such a thorn in the side of its abettors, that he was legislated out of office by an act of the legislature, passed hurriedly in 1870, with that intention, abolishing the common council. In 1871 he was the Democratic nominee for city recorder, and made a good race, but the city was heavily Republican, and he was defeated by a small majority. In 1872 he was elected to the common council from the Eighth ward, and was continuously re-elected to a seat in that body tip to the day of his death. Most of the time he was chairman of the finance committee, and his carefulness saved the city thousands of dollars. In the council he was the recognized leader of the party that fought corruption and extravagance, and no man wielded more influence or commanded more respect from his associates. The following tribute to his memory is all editorial from the Gazette and Bulletin of December 2, 1878:
In the death of S. T. McCormick, Esq., Williamsport has lost one of her most valuable and truly representative citizens. As a member of the common council for years, he had familiarized himself throughout with the laws, and no member of that body ever took a deeper interest in municipal legislation, nor worked harder to promote the welfare of the city. Having been honored with repeated elections to council, he appreciated the confidence reposed in him by his constituents, and looked after their interests with sleepless vigilance. It is safe to say that for nearly ten years past three-fourths of the ordinances were drawn by his own hand, and as chairman of the finance committee he labored incessantly to guard the city treasury. He was a positive as well as representative man, and always ready to give, as well as to take blows, in the advocacy of what he deemed to be right. In the course of a long public career, and in the many heated discussions which arose over matters of public policy, it would be strange if he did not make some enemies; but we venture to say that those who may have fought him with the most energy in life will be among the first to forgive and forget, now that he sleeps the last sleep. As a local legislator he was a recognized leader the "great commoner of Williamsport and his absence from the council will be severely felt, for where is the mail in that body who can fill his place" We say this in all sincerity, because we believe it to be true, and we doubt if there will be a dissenting voice, in or out of council, to the declaration.
History of Lycoming County by J F Meginnes
SETH T. McCORMICK was one of the best-known members of the Lycoming County bar throughout his long residence in Williamsport, and his prominent association with the municipal affairs of that city made his name a household word in every part of the West Branch valley. The family is of Irish origin and came from the North of Ireland to the Cumberland valley, whence Seth McCormick, grandfather of our subject, removed to White Deer valley prior to the Revolution. In 1778, when the settlers along the West Branch fled before the scalping knife of the ruthless savage, at what is familiarly known as the "Big Runaway," the McCormick family took refuge for a time at Fort Augusta, which stood on the site of Sunbury, whence they returned to White Doer valley after the danger had passed. His father, Seth McCormick, was born, lived, and (lied within the limits of Lycoming County, and the name is closely interwoven with the growth and progress of this section of the State throughout his history.
Mr. McCormick was born in Washington township, Lycoming County, oil the 17th of January 1814, received a common school education, and spent his early life in the work of a farmer and lumberman, which pursuits he followed in White Deer valley until he was forty-four years of age. He was married in March 1837, to Ellen, daughter of William Miller, of Washington township, who bore him a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Sarah E., who married William D. Oakes of Ogle county, Illinois; Henry Clay, of Williamsport; William M., of Philadelphia; Horace G., a physician of Williamsport; Hannah, wife of Thomas L. Painter of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Frank H., and Seth T., both of whom reside in this city. In 1861 Mr. McCormick determined to study law, and with that intention in view, he removed Williamsport. He entered the office of W. W. Willard, and applied himself to the study of the law with such diligence and assiduity that he was admitted to practice in 1862. By his indomitable perseverance and energy, backed by a close application to business, he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, and in February 1867, he took his son, Henry Clay, into partnership with him, and thus formed the well-known law firm of S. T. &.H. C. McCormick, which stood in the foremost rank of the legal profession.
Mr. McCormick was an excellent businessman and acquired a comfortable estate. He took an active interest in the development of every legitimate enterprise tending to promote the interests of his chosen home. He did a great deal of work in the effort to secure the location of the Middle district penitentiary in Williamsport. He was the compiler of the book of the charter, laws, and ordinances of the city, published by the council, and the very full indexes of the work bear testimony to the thoroughness of his labors.
In early manhood Mr. McCormick was a Whig, with strong Abolition tendencies, and in 1856 he joined the Republican party, and supported Fremont for the presidency, and also voted for Lincoln in 1860. But he was strongly opposed, to the course of that party at the breaking out of the civil war, solely on constitutional grounds, and in 1861 he became a Democrat, and he remained a stanch advocate of Democratic principles up to his death. His prominent connection with the fight for honest municipal government is still vividly remembered in every part of the county. In 1869 he was elected to the common council, to represent the Second and Eighth wards, and he took such a bold and decided stand against the Nicholson pavement swindle, and was such a thorn in the side of its abettors, that he was legislated out of office by an act of the legislature, passed hurriedly in 1870, with that intention, abolishing the common council. In 1871 he was the Democratic nominee for city recorder, and made a good race, but the city was heavily Republican, and he was defeated by a small majority. In 1872 he was elected to the common council from the Eighth ward, and was continuously re-elected to a seat in that body tip to the day of his death. Most of the time he was chairman of the finance committee, and his carefulness saved the city thousands of dollars. In the council he was the recognized leader of the party that fought corruption and extravagance, and no man wielded more influence or commanded more respect from his associates. The following tribute to his memory is all editorial from the Gazette and Bulletin of December 2, 1878:
In the death of S. T. McCormick, Esq., Williamsport has lost one of her most valuable and truly representative citizens. As a member of the common council for years, he had familiarized himself throughout with the laws, and no member of that body ever took a deeper interest in municipal legislation, nor worked harder to promote the welfare of the city. Having been honored with repeated elections to council, he appreciated the confidence reposed in him by his constituents, and looked after their interests with sleepless vigilance. It is safe to say that for nearly ten years past three-fourths of the ordinances were drawn by his own hand, and as chairman of the finance committee he labored incessantly to guard the city treasury. He was a positive as well as representative man, and always ready to give, as well as to take blows, in the advocacy of what he deemed to be right. In the course of a long public career, and in the many heated discussions which arose over matters of public policy, it would be strange if he did not make some enemies; but we venture to say that those who may have fought him with the most energy in life will be among the first to forgive and forget, now that he sleeps the last sleep. As a local legislator he was a recognized leader the "great commoner of Williamsport and his absence from the council will be severely felt, for where is the mail in that body who can fill his place" We say this in all sincerity, because we believe it to be true, and we doubt if there will be a dissenting voice, in or out of council, to the declaration.
SETH T. McCORMICK was one of the best-known members of the Lycoming County bar throughout his long residence in Williamsport, and his prominent association with the municipal affairs of that city made his name a household word in every part of the West Branch valley. The family is of Irish origin and came from the North of Ireland to the Cumberland valley, whence Seth McCormick, grandfather of our subject, removed to White Deer valley prior to the Revolution. In 1778, when the settlers along the West Branch fled before the scalping knife of the ruthless savage, at what is familiarly known as the "Big Runaway," the McCormick family took refuge for a time at Fort Augusta, which stood on the site of Sunbury, whence they returned to White Doer valley after the danger had passed. His father, Seth McCormick, was born, lived, and (lied within the limits of Lycoming County, and the name is closely interwoven with the growth and progress of this section of the State throughout his history.
Mr. McCormick was born in Washington township, Lycoming County, oil the 17th of January 1814, received a common school education, and spent his early life in the work of a farmer and lumberman, which pursuits he followed in White Deer valley until he was forty-four years of age. He was married in March 1837, to Ellen, daughter of William Miller, of Washington township, who bore him a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Sarah E., who married William D. Oakes of Ogle county, Illinois; Henry Clay, of Williamsport; William M., of Philadelphia; Horace G., a physician of Williamsport; Hannah, wife of Thomas L. Painter of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Frank H., and Seth T., both of whom reside in this city. In 1861 Mr. McCormick determined to study law, and with that intention in view, he removed Williamsport. He entered the office of W. W. Willard, and applied himself to the study of the law with such diligence and assiduity that he was admitted to practice in 1862. By his indomitable perseverance and energy, backed by a close application to business, he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, and in February 1867, he took his son, Henry Clay, into partnership with him, and thus formed the well-known law firm of S. T. &.H. C. McCormick, which stood in the foremost rank of the legal profession.
Mr. McCormick was an excellent businessman and acquired a comfortable estate. He took an active interest in the development of every legitimate enterprise tending to promote the interests of his chosen home. He did a great deal of work in the effort to secure the location of the Middle district penitentiary in Williamsport. He was the compiler of the book of the charter, laws, and ordinances of the city, published by the council, and the very full indexes of the work bear testimony to the thoroughness of his labors.
In early manhood Mr. McCormick was a Whig, with strong Abolition tendencies, and in 1856 he joined the Republican party, and supported Fremont for the presidency, and also voted for Lincoln in 1860. But he was strongly opposed, to the course of that party at the breaking out of the civil war, solely on constitutional grounds, and in 1861 he became a Democrat, and he remained a stanch advocate of Democratic principles up to his death. His prominent connection with the fight for honest municipal government is still vividly remembered in every part of the county. In 1869 he was elected to the common council, to represent the Second and Eighth wards, and he took such a bold and decided stand against the Nicholson pavement swindle, and was such a thorn in the side of its abettors, that he was legislated out of office by an act of the legislature, passed hurriedly in 1870, with that intention, abolishing the common council. In 1871 he was the Democratic nominee for city recorder, and made a good race, but the city was heavily Republican, and he was defeated by a small majority. In 1872 he was elected to the common council from the Eighth ward, and was continuously re-elected to a seat in that body tip to the day of his death. Most of the time he was chairman of the finance committee, and his carefulness saved the city thousands of dollars. In the council he was the recognized leader of the party that fought corruption and extravagance, and no man wielded more influence or commanded more respect from his associates. The following tribute to his memory is all editorial from the Gazette and Bulletin of December 2, 1878:
In the death of S. T. McCormick, Esq., Williamsport has lost one of her most valuable and truly representative citizens. As a member of the common council for years, he had familiarized himself throughout with the laws, and no member of that body ever took a deeper interest in municipal legislation, nor worked harder to promote the welfare of the city. Having been honored with repeated elections to council, he appreciated the confidence reposed in him by his constituents, and looked after their interests with sleepless vigilance. It is safe to say that for nearly ten years past three-fourths of the ordinances were drawn by his own hand, and as chairman of the finance committee he labored incessantly to guard the city treasury. He was a positive as well as representative man, and always ready to give, as well as to take blows, in the advocacy of what he deemed to be right. In the course of a long public career, and in the many heated discussions which arose over matters of public policy, it would be strange if he did not make some enemies; but we venture to say that those who may have fought him with the most energy in life will be among the first to forgive and forget, now that he sleeps the last sleep. As a local legislator he was a recognized leader the "great commoner of Williamsport and his absence from the council will be severely felt, for where is the mail in that body who can fill his place" We say this in all sincerity, because we believe it to be true, and we doubt if there will be a dissenting voice, in or out of council, to the declaration.
Family Members
Siblings
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