Page 221 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ James McCormack

1922-1923

In the years 1922-1923 James McCormack served as Grand
Master of Masons in the State of Washington. He was born in
Longford, Ireland, on March 29th, 1862; and was educated in
the Protestant Episcopal School in Longford, Later he was
graduated from the Erasmus Smith School of the same place. In
September, 1879, he entered the dry-goods store of George
Duncan & Sons, Lisburn, Ireland, as an apprentice. After serving
his apprenticeship of five years, he entered the employ of the
Bank Building Department store in Belfast, Ireland.

Leaving there and coming to New York City in 1887, he entered the department store of Simpson,
Crawford & Simpson, New York; but the lure of the West caught him in 1889, and on September
22nd of that year he arrived in Tacoma, where he made his home and followed his chosen
occupation—that of merchandising. He was the president of the McCormack Brothers Department
Store, one of the large going concerns of the Paciflc Coast. In the management of that heavy and
growing business he was assisted by his three sons, who were officers of the company, being,
respectively, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the corporation. Each of the young men
received the Degrees of Masonry in State Lodge No. 68, with the father acting as Master.

Brother McCormack, himself, received his degrees in Union Star Lodge No, 198, F. & A. M., in
Newtonards, Ireland; his petition having been acted upon July 4th, 1885; and he was entered July
7th; passed, August 11th; raised, September 12th of that year. On coming to New York he
immediately affiliated with Henry Clay Lodge No. 177, which he served as Senior Deacon prior
to his coming West. On settling in Tacoma, he became a charter member of State Lodge No. 68,
serving as Worshipful Master in 1900.

Brother McCormack’s Masonic resume includes serving as High Priest of Keystone Chapter No,
37, R, A. M., of Tacoma, and Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of Washington. He was
Illustrious Master of Tacoma Council, No. 1 R. & S. M., and Past Grand Master of the Grand
Council of Washington. In addition, he was Generalissimo of Ivanhoe Commandery No 4, Knights
Templar,

He had also been an active worker in the Scottish Rite Bodies, and had been honored with the
grade of Knight Commander, Court of Honor. In the Order of the Eastern Star he was Patron of
Vida Chapter No. 35, and Grand Patron of the Order for Washington.