R.M. McCormick & Son (Lock Haven, Clinton County)

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A recent find at an antique store! This brass stencil will help us explore the lives of two outstanding gentleman of Lock Haven, Robert and John McCormick.

Robert McCormick was born near Lock Haven, Clinton County on April 15,1830. After attending school and taking up farming for awhile, Robert returned to Lock Haven in 1864. Robert then became involved with the thriving lumber business in the city. He continued agricultural pursuits on his 130 acre farm on Great Island.

By 1881, Robert was in business with his son John (one of five children) as lumber salesmen under the name of R.W. McCormick & Son. Their business was located at the intersection of Mill and Water Streets. Most of the lumber came from local mills.Robert carried on his business until his death on September 21,1900. He was buried in Lock Haven's Highland Cemetery.

His son John continued the business under the same business name for some time afterwards. Like his father, John was far from idle. Records from 1909-1914 show him as one of the directors of the Susquehanna Traction Company that operated the trolley in Lock Haven. On January 25, 1914, John passed away and joined his father at Highland Cemetery.

Unfortunately, the price for the stencil was a bit high and I decided not to purchase it. It was probably used for marking lumber and other products purchased by Robert and John.