Henry+McCormick+Poems

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By: Annie Downey
 * “The Ideal Man, Henry McCormick”**

Countless hours would he devote, teaching multiple subjects. His wife, children and students always first on his mind He told his stories always with a hint of humor Never boasting of his former challenges, But challenging the students to take on more. From the last step off the Emerald Isle To the first on to this grand nation This ideal man was always composed His wife whom he loved and adored, moved him to become a teacher The second he took the job, it was excellence 43 years Henry McCormick worked at I.S.N.U. In his memory stands McCormick Hall A monument to the ideal teacher, husband and man
 * //Unselfish//**
 * //Humble//**
 * //Peaceable//**
 * //Dutiful//**
 * //Loyal//**

Trevor Rappa

I came to this country at the age of 16 to find my father, But found that he had died one month hence I wandered the Midwest Worked during the hot summers and pursued my education during the harsh winters It was in 1859 when I got my first job as a teacher! And in that same year I married Numanthia B. Kinyon We came to Mclean County where I attended ISNU I graduated and taught geography, mathematics, history, and literature Eventually I served as the vice President of ISNU! My life has been one continuous journey Everyday I think of this quote, and it gives me inspiration “True greatness consists in doing each day some little good, not in dreaming of great things to be done by and by,”
 * //Henry McCormick//**

By: Liz Phipps
 * The Winding Road**

My life had been a constant journey, with many bumps along the way. From my days of famine to my days crossing deep Atlantic. My Irish luck ran out when I got to the states and the passing of my father sent me in new directions and new paths developed. It forced me to fend for myself and find my own way, my journey to manhood was filled with many twists and turns. The dairy land taught me hard work, and led me to a new direction. ISNU was my true calling, it was here I shined. I mastered the arts and arithmetic and soon was head of the Board. My journey did not stop here but it was here I stayed I-S-N-U true blood through and through all the way!

By Caroline Lartz
 * Henry McCormick:**

I am young Henry from the rolling hills of Belmullet, forced to abandon familiar foggy landscape for alien western opportunity. Joining my father to provide for the family, I ventured out alone only to find I was even more out of place than before This unknown world was too much for dad’s true Irish spirit, for his life was taken. I am left to carry on, to make something of his empty nest and rotten potatoes, finding my own place in this lonely state Refusing to drown in doubt and self-pity, I begin my own journey, I become my own man.

__Henry McCormick__ by Matt Skibo It was not soon after I set foot in this land That I learned my father had passed to the next Did it damper me? No, Inspire me, Yes! I worked my way west And learned along the way In Illinois I taught in Boone County Married my lovely wife, raised five lovely children, and received two degrees from ISNU But I would receive so much more. I had a passion for teaching and for my students Many said it was my lively spirit and sense of humor That set me apart from the rest The “Ideal Man” they would call me I don’t think I could ever live up to that high praise But if my father taught me one thing it was: “Whatever toil you face, put a smile on and give it your all, laddie” In life, and in death That is what I will always do.

By XiXi Tian FROM childhood I loved to laugh At anything to raise my spirits; It got me through 'most everything. I taught at the university; I spread my knowledge, The students they all loved me so For my good cheer and teachings; Eight hundred books came from my hand The world was good to me I felt, and granted me a sweet life-- A beautiful wife and five lovely children, A blessed man was I! They praised me and said-- A wonderful family man I was, A husband, a father, a loving man But sometimes, just sometimes I sit by the window and remember Decades ago when I crossed the gray seas To find my own father And where was he?-- In the grave, not weeks before; I saw his headstone and I cried with bitterness And when I laugh the mirth does not reach my eyes.
 * Henry McCormick**