Biography - William E. McCormick
PROF. WILLIAM E. McCORMICK. No resident of Tower Hill, Shelby County,
has pursued a more honorable career or been of greater value as a citizen
and public servant than the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs
and who is well known throughout Shelby County. His life and character are
well worthy of imitation by those who, like himself, must be the architects
of their own fortunes and destinies to a great extent. His habits are
unostentatious, his judgment impartial, his convictions strong and his
benefactions, like his labors, constant and unremitting. In 1888 he was
appointed Principal of the public schools of Tower Hill, since which time he
has advanced the grade of scholarship, deepened the public interest in
educational matters and brought the school to the front rank among the
academies of learning in the county. Recently he has been invited to take
charge of the school at Windsor in this county.
Prof. McCormick is of Irish parentage. His father, Edward McCormick, was
born in County Galway, Ireland, of which county his mother, Jane (O'Brien)
McCormick, was also a native. After their marriage in Ireland they emigrated
to America during the latter part of the '50s, and coming directly to this
State, settled on a farm near the village of Tower Hill, of which they have
since been residents. They became the parents of four children, of whom our
subject is the eldest. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, April 1, 1858,
and was about three years of age when he was brought by his parents to this
country. He grew to manhood in Tower Hill Township and received a good
education in its graded schools. Later he became a student in the Central
Normal College of Danville, Ind., where he fitted himself for the profession
of a teacher.
Since 1877, when Prof. McCormlck taught his first school, he has been
engaged in his chosen profession and has become well-known as a splendid
disciplinarian and one thoroughly able to impart knowledge to others. He was
married in Pana,Ill., September 13, 1883, to Miss Minnie R., daughter of
Samuel Milliken. This estimable lady was born in Shelby County, Ill., June
1, 1860 and is a lady of recognized worth of character and kindly
disposition. She and the Professor are both consistent members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Trustee. He has also
served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and takes an active part in
religious and benevolent work. In politics he is a Democrat and has served
the township as Clerk and Assessor. He owns two hundred acres adjacent to
the village of Tower Hill, a portion of which lies within the corporation.
Extracted 29 May 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 283-284.
