Edgar Harvey McCormick

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The proper management and cultivation of our farming lands is the foundation on which the prosperity of the country rests, and to no one class of the people in the country are we more indebted for its growth and development than the farmers of the land. Well known among those who have accomplished good work in the State of New Jersey is Edgar Harvey McCORMICK, of Jefferson township, Morris county.

(1) William D. McCORMICK, his grandfather, resided in Jefferson township, on the homestead still in the possession of the descendents. He had four sons: Calvin and Morris, deceased; William Harvey, of further mention; Charles, who resides on the old homestead.

(II) William Harvey McCORMICK, son of William D. McCORMICK, was born in Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1840, died in 1887. He followed the occupation of farming all his life. He married Mary ZEEK, born in 1840, died on the farm of her son, Edgar Harvey, in 1902, a daughter of Christopher ZEEK, a farmer and forgeman at Marcella, Rockaway township, Morris county, New Jersey.

(III) Edgar Harvey McCORMICK, son of William Harvey and Mary (ZEEK) McCORMICK, was born January 3, 1876, on the old homestead on which he now resides, one mile from Milton, in Morris county, New Jersey. He was the only child of his parents, and received his education in the public schools of Jefferson township. During his earlier years he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead farm, and upon the death of the latter assumed sole control. Like his father and grandfather, his entire life has been spent in Jefferson township, and like his father he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Democratic committee of the township, and is a member and clerk of the board of education from Jefferson township. The farm is a valuable one of 160 acres, and was at one time the property of the HEADLEYs, the last owner of that name being Joseph W. HEADLEY. Mr. McCORMICK possesses in rich measure the sterling qualities which characterized his Scotch ancestors, and by his thrift and industry, as well as his sound and practical ideas, has made himself a highly valued member of the community of which he is a resident. He married Mattie W. WALLACE, of Jefferson township, and they have had children: Roger, Bessie, Cletus and Seward, all attending public school.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)