In December, 1911, John W. McCormick shipped his household goods and moved his family from Kaufman County to the new town of Spur, Texas.
In 1912 they farmed in the Steel Hill community. The antelope, coyotes, prairie dogs. jackrabbits and rattlesnakes were quite a curiosity to the new comers and the gyp water was terrible.
The children attended the one teacher school taught by a young man about nineteen years of age whose name, as remembered, was Bridges, followed the next year by a Mr. Cherry.
All church services were held in the small school building. The Church of Christ service, called "Church Meeting" in those days, was in the afternoon. Visiting ministers Mike Young, Joe Day and others preached. The McCormick family became members of the Church of Christ.
After one year at Steel Hill they moved to the Afton community where they farmed until the father's death in 1917. John W. McCormick was trustee of the Afton school when the new school building was built just west of the Methodist Church.
Mrs. McCormick and the children in 1924 moved to Littlefield, Texas, where she passed away in 1948.
The children are Lydia, who taught in the rural schools of Dickens County for awhile, married Warren C. Squires, and a few years after his return from service in World War I moved to Littlefield, Texas, where they were in General Mercantile business until his death in 1942. She now resides in Lubbock.
William (Bill) who also taught school and married Leta Parsons. Together with Jack they have owned and operated an Auto Parts and Hardware business in Littlefield through the years.
Elizabeth married Bud Cox of Afton and after his death became the wife of Joy Hoover. Their home is in Littlefield.
Jack's wife was Mary Cook. He was a Church of Christ minister and also a partner with Bill in the Hardware and Auto Parts store.
Kathryne lives in the family home in Littlefield, and has been employed by Paul as Bookkeeper for a number of years.
Leonard married Tennie Mullins from Eden, Texas. They have a carpet, drapery and upholstery shop in Muleshoe, Texas, where they have lived for some time.
Paul was born at Afton and married Willie Hukel in Littlefield. He owns and operates a wholesale and retail oil and gas business in Littlefield.
June, the youngest, also born at Afton, lives with her husband, H.C. Chandler and children in Amarillo.
Four brothers of John W, McCormick, all formerly of Kaufman County, also moved to Dickens County. They are now deceased, but their companions are still living.
J. V. (Jim) whose wife, Mary, lives at Banquete, Texas, moved to Spur in 1909 as manager of Panhandle Lumber Company. He later owned a gin at Afton for a number of years.
R.A. (Bob) whose wife, Delia lives in Houston.
Hicks, whose wife, Jodie, lives at Spur.
Mack, whose wife lives at Slaton.
Source: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971
Services for Mrs. John McCormack, who died in Amarillo, Texas February 12 after a short illness, was held in the Church of Christ at Afton, Texas, February 12, with Brother Gipson of Austin, Texas conducting the last rites.
Interment was in the Afton Cemetery, at Afton. Survivors are three sons, William, Leonard and Paul of Littlefield, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. Lydia Squires, Austin, Texas, Mrs. Elizabeth Cox, Clovis, New Mexico, Miss Katherine McCormick, Littlefield (note: obit only lists 3 daughters)
Mrs. McCormack lived for many years in the Afton community, where she raised her family to womanhood and manhood. She leaves a large circle of old time friends to mourn her passing. She was laid to rest by the side of her late husband, John McCormack, who preceded her in death in 1917.
©The Texas Spur, February 19, 1948
Transcribed by DCHC Members, February 20, 2005
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion without consent. |
