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EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876
By John Carroll Power

These biographies were submitted by a researcher and evidently abstracted from the 1876 History of Sangamon County, IL. Errors could occur, so one should always verify the correctness by obtaining copies of vitals and performing all necessary research to document what is contained herein.



MCCORMACK, ANDREW, was born April 27, 1801, in Nashville, Tenn. His father was born near Dublin, Ireland, and his mother (whose maiden name was McFarren) came from the north of Ireland. They were Protesants, and left their native country during the rebellion of 1798, and were married in America, probably in Tennessee. They moved with their family from Nashville, Tenn., to Fleming county, Ky., and Mr. McCormack died there about 1815, leaving the family, consisting of the mother, four brothers and three sisters, to the care of Andrew, whose name heads this sketch. He managed to keep them together until they were able to take care of themselves. Being studiously inclined, he worked in the day and studied at night. He brought his mother and all the children to Sangamon county about 1829, settling on Fancy creek. Shortly after he went to work in the Galena lead mines, and during some Indian troubles there, he was Captain of a company of volunteers. On his return he moved to Springfield, and was married July 27, 1834, on Sugar creek, to Ann S. Short--daughter of James Short,--who was born Jan. 3, 1810, in Green county, Ky. They had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The eldest died, aged eighteen years. Of the other children--

MARGARET J., born Jan. 10, 1838, in Springfield, was married Aug. 23, 1866, to David Caldwell, who was born Oct. 16, 1839, in Dearborn county, Ind. He enlisted Aug., 1861, in Co. B, 26th Ind. Inf., and served three years. They have two children living, JOHN A. and GEORGE D., who reside with their parents, in Springfield, Illinois.

LUCRETIA B., born Jan. 6, 1841, was married June 21, 1867, in Springfield, to William C. Poffenbarger, who was born in Sangamon county. They have four children, ELIZABETH A., MARY A., IRA D. and HENRIETTA A., who reside with their parents, on a farm near Taylorville, Illinois.

MARY E. resides with her mother.

JOHN A., born July 8, 1845, was married Aug. 10, 1870, in Springfield, to Matilda Morganroth, a native of McLean county, Ill. J. A. McCormack is a carpenter, and is now employed at the T., W. & W. R. R. shops. He resides in Springfield, Illinois.

ALEXANDER R., born Sept. 25, 1847, was married Oct. 12, 1875, in Springfield, to Mrs. Fannie Rivers, whose maiden name was Creamer. They reside in Springfield.

ANN C., born Jan. 14, 1850, was married May 3, 1874, in Springfield, to Henry Schneider, a native of Switzerland. She resides with her mother.

Andrew McCormack was a stonecutter and brickmason. He represented Sangamon county three times in the State Legislature, and was one of the "Long Nine." He was Mayor of the city for 1843 and '44, and was a man of great physical strength, standing six feet two and a half inches in height, and weighing two hundred and eighty pounds. Andrew McCormack's mother died at his house in Springfield, Jan. 21, 1842, and he died January 24, 1857. His widow still resides in Springfield, Ill.--1876.



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