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A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931
JOSEPH MCCORMICK. Beginning his career as a poor boy without educational
advantages, but with much ambition and great industry, Joseph McCormick, of
Cedar Rapids, has fought his way laboriously but consistently to a place of
prominence among his fellow-citizens, and for the past eleven years has been
state secretary of the Iowa Knights of Columbus. A large part of his life has
been devoted to newspaper work, in which he has become nationally known, and he
has been also identified with many movements which have contributed to the
betterment and progress of his native state.
Mr. McCormick was born at Dewitt, Iowa, March 10, 1878, and is a son of
Joseph and Jane (Boyle) McCormick, the latter a native of Boston, Massachusetts.
His father, who was born in Ireland, came to this country in young manhood
and soon found employment at his trade of baker. At the outbreak of the war
between the states he enlisted in the Union army, and throughout the struggle
acted in the capacity of camp cook. Following his release from military duties
he came to Iowa and settled at Dewitt, where he conducted a bakery until
1882, in that year removing to Manchester, this state, where he was the
proprietor of a similar establishment until his death.
Joseph McCormick, the younger, had only the advantages of a grade school
education, and while attending school managed to learn the printer's trade.
Having saved up a few dollars, in January, 1893, he started what was known as
the world's smallest newspaper, the Manchester Herald. This was located in a
part of his mother's kitchen and the first issues were compiled and struck off
with the rudest of printing implements, such as the youth could secure from
printing establishments who had no further use for them. The idea at first
seemed ridiculous, but Mr. McCormick's mother, sensing the lad's earnestness,
encouraged him, and to everyone's surprise the little sheet not only began to
attract attention but to secure a bona fide subscription list that made the
publishers of older and much larger newspapers wonder. The Herald was
unique, interesting and original and what it lacked in size it fully made up in
quality. Every cent that the youthful editor and publisher could acquire he put
into equipment and new machinery, and finally it was moved from its kitchen
birthplace to a good-sized printing plant, which Mr. McCormick sold after
fifteen years of successful publications.
In 1907 Mr. McCormick moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where he was city editor of
the Sioux City Journal until 1910, then locating at Cedar Rapids as city
editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. In 1914 he retired from this position for
other activities, although he has continued his connection with newspaper work
as a feature writer and correspondent for metropolitan publications. In
July, 1918, he became state secretary of the Iowa Knights of Columbus, and in
addition to his regular duties in this connection has edited The Caravel, the
official organ of the fraternity. He is a past grand knight (1914-1915) of
Cedar Rapids Council No. 909, Knights of Columbus, and has attained to the
fourth degree. During the World war he was in charge of publicity of the United
War Work campaign in Iowa, and of the Red Cross drives at Cedar Rapids, and
has been active also in publicity campaigns of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of
Commerce and various other civic movements. He is a member of the Immaculate
Conception Roman Catholic Church, and was one of the hardest workers during the
building fund campaign. Mr. McCormick is a popular member of the Country
Club and as recreations is greatly fond of hunting and fishing, being also
quite an expert golfer. His entire life has been an example of what can be
accomplished by industry and perseverance.
At Manchester, Iowa, May 1, 1909, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage with
Miss May Roney, who prior to her marriage was a teacher of music in schools
conducted by the Dominican Sisters at Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin, and
Jackson, Nebraska. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCormick:
Joseph, a student at St. Mary College, Kansas, Mary Catharine and Margaret
Jane.
Posted at this site with Debbie's permission
http://www.iagenweb.org/history/index.htm
*Check stated facts, do not know how accurate.
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