Husband Provance McCormick 1 2 3
Born: 29 Jul 1799 - near Connellsville, Fayette Co, PA 1 2 3
Christened:
Died: 16 Jun 1887 - near Connellsville, Fayette Co, PA 2
Buried:
Father:
Mother: Sarah McCormick (1776-1854) 4
Marriage: 2 Dec 1819 5
Wife Susan Bowers 3 5
Born: 16 Dec 1800 - near Connellsville, Fayette Co, PA 5
Christened:
Died: 1868 3
Buried:
Children
1 F Elizabeth McCormick 5
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 F Jane McCormick 5
Born:
Christened:
Died: 24 Oct 1886 5
Buried:
Spouse: Christian Snyder ( - ) 5
3 M George B. McCormick 1 5
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
4 M Joseph Trevor McCormick 1 3 6 7
Born: 23 Nov 1830 - near Connellsville, Fayette Co, PA 3 6
Christened:
Died: May 1904 3
Buried:
Spouse: Susan Newmyer (1833- ) 3 6 7
Marr: 2 Oct or 27 Oct 1855 3 6 7
General Notes: Husband - Provance McCormick
His ancestors came from England with the cavaliers who left their native land and fled to Virginia, soon after the execution of Charles I. by Cromwell, about the year 1649.
He was born in the double cabin of his grandfather. He learned two trades, shoemaker and carpenter. He married about 1818, and for two years lived on his grandfather's place. In 1825 he bought an acre of land, and built on it a house later owned by William White. In this he lived until 1853. He was elected justice of the peace, and later associate judge of Fayette County for one term. For some ten years he held the office of justice of the peace in Connellsville.
Until about the year 1830, he followed the occupation of a teamster in the transportation of merchandise between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and during the next ten years was engaged in various occupations, among others the manufacture of gun barrels for the United States government. About this time he conceived the idea of making "Coke," which he surmised might be made to supersede the use of charcoal in the smelting of iron ores. In pursuance of this idea, in the year of 1842, he had erected on the bank of the Youghiogheny river, about three miles below Connellsville, two coke ovens, (which were very similar to those in later use), and proceeded with the experiment. The attempt seemed to be as successful as could be desired, and with buoyant hope and visions of wealth and honors, a large flat-boat was built, and loaded with the coke, was floated down the Ohio river to Cincinnatti. Vain hope! No one could be found to risk a trial of this strange fuel, and with sad heart the scheme was abandoned. Ten years later the attempt was revived by other hands, and the originator lived to see more than ten thousand ovens in active operation in his immediate neighborhood, with other thousands all over the country, producing millions of tons of coke, finding eager purchasers, and enriching hundreds of more fortunate operators.
After occupying numerous positions of trust, postmaster, justice of the peace, associate judge of Fayette County, etc. He, in his old age, became reduced to poverty through his generous aid to unfortunate friends. He was a man of unbending integrity, and while courageous in the maintenance of his prerogatives, against those maliciously invading them, he was full of charity for the errors and misfortunes of his fellow-men. This kindly disposition often blinded his better judgment and finally led to his financial ruin. His faith and trust in a Divine Providence was complete and almost childlike, and never for an instant deserted him. Though often sorely afflicted both in body and mind, he bore all with unflinching fortitude and courage. His counsel and advice were largely solicited, and no one, however humble his station, ever failed to receive his kindest sympathy, and, if needed, such material aid as his limited means could afford. This humane disposition was inherent in his nature, and was strikingly shown in almost his last hour on earth. While suffering most intensely, and unable to rise without aid, he insisted upon being supported in the arms of his attendants while he made a last attempt to do an act of kindness.
His ancestors were faithful adherents to the Church of England, but he chose the Baptist denomination as the exponent of his belief, and for nearly sixty years held fast to that faith. His orthodoxy was somewhat of the sterner sort, but with the mellowing influence of age came a more liberal feeling as to the Divine judgments. The unity of Christian churches he greatly desired, but had no hope of such a result. His whole life was an illustration of his belief in the universal brotherhood of mankind.
General Notes: Wife - Susan Bowers
She was born of Novia Scotian parents.
She was of German ancestry. [PH, 21]