HARRY G. CORMICK. The business interest of Centralia have a worthy representative in the subject of this sketch, who is the proprietor of a large and flourishing establishment in the city. Both by nature and as the result of long and varied experience, he is admirably fitted for the successful management of a large concern and is considered authority upon any subject bearing upon hardware or stoves. He carries a complete assortment of the best qualities of hardware, tinware and stoves of every variety, and his store is one of the best of its kind in the county.
Our subject's father, Joseph G. Cormick, was a native of Savannah, Ga., whence in boyhood he removed to Ohio and for a time sojourned at Sandusky. During the residence of the family in Columbus he was connected with the postofflce at Cleveland, Ohio. There he married Miss Louisa, daughter of Peter Putnam, a tanner by trade and one of the very earliest settlers of Columbus.
During the infancy of that now flourishing city he entered the town with $5 in his pocket and all his earthly possessions tied in a handkerchief which he carried. He entered a tract of land from the Government a very short distance from the capital and there carried on a large tanyard for many years. He made his home in that city until a few years prior to his death, which occurred at Columbus City, Iowa.
Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Cormick, was a native of Ireland, and being a Fenian, was obliged to leave his home in that country. He emigrated to the United States and settled near Savannah, Ga.
After his marriage Joseph G. Cormick began to work for the Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Railway Company, but soon afterward removed to Cairo, ILL., and accepted a position as conductor on a passenger train between Cairo and Sandoval, ILL.
In the spring of 1854 he came to Centralia, before the road was completed to this place. Afterward he ran the train between Cairo and Centralia and continued as conductor on the Illinois Central Railroad from 1853 until 1879. His death occurred May 11th of the last named year.
In local politics Mr. Cormick was influential and prominent and was honored by election to the office of Mayor, in which he rendered efficient service in behalf of his fellow-citizens. In politics he was a Republican and was a warm personal friend of Generals Logan and Grant, as well as other famous men.
Socially, he was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and for a number of years was Secretary of the Old Reliable Conductors' Life Association, of which he was one of the organizers, as well as one of the first Viee-Presidents.
He was a man of peculiarly genial temperament and formed many warm and intimate friendships. His widow is still living, as is also one of their children, the other, Georgiana, having died at the age of nineteen years.
Not only was Mr. Cormick prominent in Centralia, but he was well known throughout this section of the state and was honored wherever known. During the Mexican War he enlisted as private and served with fidelity and valor.
Though somewhat advanced in years when the clouds of the Rebellion darkened the sky of national prosperity, he was so loyal to the cause of the Union that he volunteered his services in its defense. During the early part of the war his name was enrolled as a member of Company D, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry, he having raised the company and been elected its Captain. With the regiment he participated in a number of engagements, which though not among the most important of the war were none the less perilous to life.
Harry G. Cormick was born in Columbus, Ohio, November 1, 1853, and has spent almost his entire life in the city where he now resides. Here he was educated in the public schools, and upon completing his schooling went to Cairo, where he served a three years' apprenticeship to the printer's trade, being in the office of the Cairo Bulletin.
Later he was thus engaged in Chicago, Minneapolis, Centralia and other cities. Next we find him fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad between Centralia and Cairo, and after four years thus spent he was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer, but three years afterward lost his position through an accident. Retiring from the railroad, he entered the mercantile business at Centralia, and two years later embarked in the hardware trade, which he has since successfully conducted.
In politics Mr. Cormick gives his support to the measures of the Republican party and is an enthusiastic champion of its candidates and principles.
In his social connections he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and has served as chief officer of the two latter organizations. All enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of the city along the lines of moral, social or material development, receive his hearty support and active co-operation.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 315 & 316
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer