John A. McCormick
John A. McCormick, proprietor of the Shabbona House and dealer in livestock, is a native of Ireland. He was born in the county of Tipperary, May 7, 1842. His parents, Daniel and Mary (Farrell) McCormick, emigrated with their family to Upper Canada in 1853; in 1855 they removed to Chicago; in the spring of 1859 to Paw Paw Township, this county; and the following year John A. went to Texas, where he was employed at railroading, at Galveston and near Houston.
In the spring of 1861, after the breaking out of the late war, he made his escape to the North, returning to his home. In August, 1862, at Shabbona, he enlisted as a private in the Co. E, 105th Ill. Vol, Inf., which was attached to the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, and was in all the engagements participated in by his company till he was discharged, at the expiration of his term of enlistment, in June, 1865.
He then engaged in farming, in Clinton Township, this county, until December, 1872, when he came to Shabbona and entered the “Shabbona House,” which he has conducted as a hotel to this date. Although it is the only hotel in the place, it is well kept, and the proprietor succeeds well in his business as landlord.
Mr. McCormick was married at Aurora, Ill., April 24, 1870, to Miss Julia Cargan, daughter of James and Bridget (Lalway) Cargan. She was born in the county of Meath, Ireland, Aug. 23, 1845, and emigrated to America with her uncle, Peter Lalway, in 1858. They have a family of six children living, all girls, : Mary Elizabeth, born in Clinton, Ill., Feb. 16, 1871; Nellie, same place, Sept. 12, 1872; Treasa, born May 13, 1874, died five days afterward; Eva, born Feb. 9, 1876, at Shabbona; Lucy, born March 10, 1879, died Aug. 31, following; Kate, born May 10, 1880; Martha, Dec. 23, 1882, at Shabbona; and Julia, same place, Feb. 3, 1884.
Mr. McCormick is a member of the Village Board of Trustees, and an officer of T.S. Terry Post, No. 463, G.A.R. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb Co.
