McCormick Family - Ourfolk

JOHN L. McCORMICK, late of Indianapolis, was widely known as a carpenter, contractor and builder of many years standing in that city. He was born in Rush county, four miles south of Rushville, at Perkins Corners, March 24, 1825, son of James and Patsy (Perkins) McCormick, who are fully mentioned in the sketch of Lycurgus P. McCormick.

Mr. McCormick was a year old when his parents moved to Shelby county, and seven years old when they returned to Indianapolis, in 1832. He had his home in Marion county and in Indianapolis until 1855, when he moved to Hendricks county, living there until 1860. After that, until his death, he made his home in Indianapolis, residing for forty years in the home at No. 1402 North Capitol avenue, now occupied by his widow. He owned that place and other city property. His first schooling was secured in an old-fashioned subscription school. When about eighteen years old he began learning the millwright and carpenter trades, which he followed from 1849. Mr. McCormick was independent in political matters, although he had Republican tendencies.

Mr. McCormick was married Aug. 9, 1848, to Julia Ann Pitts, who was born March 2, 1826, near Pendleton, Ind., daughter of Stephen and Rachel (Hendricks) Pitts. To them were born three children: (1) Rachel R. married John H. Koontz, and they had two sons, Ora L. and Harry L. (deceased), both of whom married and lived in Illinois. The mother is now deceased. (2) Mary E. mar ned Matthias Garver (deceased), and now lives on Capitol avenue, Indianapolis. They had five daughters, but none are living. A granddaughter, Alta Garver Gladdon, lives with Mrs. Garver. (3) Fannie, who married Charles J. Miller (now deceased). of Chicago, now resides with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had no children.

Stephen Pitts, father of Mrs. McCormick, was born near Nashville, Tenn., and passed his early life in that state. His father died when the family, Stephen, James and several sister Elizabeth, Margaret and others, were young, and Stephen was bound out to a strict Presbyterian family. When sixteen years old he enlisted in the war of 1812, after which he settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, where he learned the tailor s trade, becoming an usually skilled workman. He always made the clothing he and his sons wore. Stephen Pitts was married in Ohio to Rachel Hendricks, a native of that state, daughter of David and Rose Hendricks. David Hendricks was a Revolutionary soldier and an early settler of Ohio, made his home in Eaton, that State, and died in Ohio.

After his marriage Stephen Pitts came to Indiana, settling in Richmond, where he worked for old Mr. Mansur, whose son, William Mansur, married a daughter of David V. Culley. David and George, the first two children of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Pitts, were born in Richmond, whence in 1821 or 1822 the family moved to Indianapolis, where Mr. Pitts owned, the ground now occupied by the Soldiers Monument. They remained there, however, only a short time, removing to Pendleton, where he took a claim. His wife always said her happiest days were spent on that place. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pitts: David never married: George W., of Indianapolis, married Mary Ann Beechart; Julia Ann was the wife of John L. McCormick; Eliza Ann died in infancy; Cynthia married Joseph Butsch, of Indianapolis; Mary E. niarried Truman French, of Indianapolis; Martha married Granville Mathews, of Indianapolis, and died nine months afterward; Frank M. married Fredonia Morrell; Rachel died in infancy; Hiram died at the age of sixteen. Only three of this family are now living, Mrs. Julia A. McCormick, Mrs. Cynthia Butsch and Mrs. Martha Mathews. Mrs. Pitts died at the age of fifty-nine years, and Mr. Pitts survived her a year, reaching the age of sixty-one. He drew a pension for his services in the war of 1812. In his early days he was a great hunter, and killed many deer and bear.