All three boys were respectably dressed, but Owen McCormack was the only one wearing a tie. His coat looks a little big, and his shirt collar looks a little tight around the neck, but he appears friendly and at ease, as he gazes into the late morning sun. I found him in all of the censuses from 1900 through 1940 (the last one currently available to the public), and also in several city directories. I found his 1918 draft registration, his marriage record, death record, obituary, and even a picture of his gravestone. But I did not find a living descendant.
Owen J. McCormack was born in Otwell, Indiana, on March 16, 1897, the son of Indiana natives William M. McCormack and Alfaretta Broadwell McCormack, who married in 1888. In 1900, they were living in Jefferson, Indiana, with three children. One other child had passed away, and one more would be born the next year. William was the proprietor of a general merchandise store.
By 1910, Owen and his mother and siblings were lodging with an (apparently) unrelated family at 2651 Washington Avenue. Mr. McCormack was not listed, but Mrs. McCormack’s marital status was not noted. I was unable find any further information on Mr. McCormack, which leads me to assume that he passed away between 1900 and 1910. Mrs. McCormack was working as a saleslady at department store.
By 1917, Owen had moved to Hammond, Indiana, where he was living with his mother, who was listed as a widow, according to the city directory. Owen worked as a stenciler. He registered for the draft in 1918, and stated that he worked for the Western Steel Can Co. He married Hannah Hammond (same as the city) a year later, on Christmas Eve. They moved in with Owen’s mother, in Hammond. Owen worked as a window dresser, and Hannah worked as a bookkeeper.
By 1930, they had bought a home at 942 Denny Street, in Indianapolis, which was built in 1926, so they may have been the first residents. Owen worked as a “dry goods designer.” In 1940, they were still living in the Denny Street home. Owen worked was a “display man” for a food market. The census noted that he left school after the eighth grade. They had no children.
In 1958, Owen and Hannah moved to Clearwater, Florida, where they would spend the rest of their lives. Owen passed away on September 10, 1980, at the age of 83; Hannah passed away 13 years later at the age of 94. According to Owen’s obituary, he “was a retired window display designer for William H. Block Co. and Morrison Apparel. His only survivor was a sister. Without a descendant to talk to, that is all I know about him.
