James R McCormick

James Robinson McCormick

James Robinson McCormick, a Representative from Missouri, was born near Irondale, Washington County, Missouri on August 1, 1824. He attended the public schools in Washington County, Missouri where he received private instruction and entered Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, as a medical student. He graduated from the Memphis (Tennessee) Medical College in 1849 and commenced practice in Wayne County, Missouri. He moved to Perry County in 1850 and continued the practice of his profession. He also served as a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1861.

During the Civil War, he served as a surgeon in the Sixth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He also served in the State senate in 1862, but resigned on account of duties in the Army. He was promoted to Brigadier General of militia in 1863. After the war relocated in Arcadia, Missouri and resumed the practice of medicine. He again served in the State Senate in 1866, but resigned the following year. He was elected as a Democrat to the 40th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Thomas E. Noel and reelected to the 41st and 42nd Congresses; serving from December 17, 1867 to March 3, 1873. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1872. He moved to Farmington, Missouri in 1874 where he practiced medicine and engaged in the drug business. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri on May 19, 1897 and was interned in the Masonic Cemetery. The General James R. McCormick Camp #215, Missouri Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was named after Civil War General/Surgeon/post-war Congressman, James Robinson McCormick.

Photograph and information submitted by D. Christopher Warren, Camp Founder and Commander of General James R. McCormick Camp 215, SUVCW.

James Robinson McCormick