Valentine McCormick
Valentine McCormick was born in Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1819, He came with his parents to Shelby County in 1831. Here in 1841 he married Miss Anna Clayton, who was born in the same county the same year that her husband was. They have had born to them eight children, five of whom are still living. Reuben Clayton, the father of Mrs. McCormick, moved to Shelby County in 1835. James McCormick, grandfather of the above, was in the Revolutionary war, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown Oct. 19, 1781; also his grandfather Shearer was in the Revolutionary war, and James McCormick, Jr., the father of Valentine, was in the war of 1812, and was at the building of Fort Meigs. Esq. Valentine McCormick and his son James K. were both in the late Rebellion. James K. was enlisted in the 57th O. V. I., and it is supposed was killed while foraging in Feb. 1863, as he has never been heard of since that time. The McCormicks came to Ohio as early as 1791, and located near Cincinnati. They floated down the Ohio River from Pittsburg on a flatboat, having to fight their way against hostile Indians along the banks of the river. The father of Esq. McCormick was three years old at this time. From Hamilton County they went to Greene County, but the date of this removal is not known. In 1831 James McCormick, Jr., with his family, moved to Shelby County and settled on sect. 34, Jackson Township, or what was at that time Salem Township, for Jackson was not organized at that time. Mr. McCormick was the first white settler in the territory of what is now Jackson Township. He entered his land in June, built his cabin in August, and moved to his land Dec 1, 1831. He was one of the organizers of the township, and one of the first trustees. Valentine McCormick has held nearly every office in the township. In 1849 he was elected justice of the peace, and served nine years in succession; he has been trustee, treasurer, and assessor of his township. In 1871 he sold his farm in Jackson and bought 160 acres in Salem, where he now lives. Besides farming, Esq. M. has been quite a contractor in building gravelled roads or pikes.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883