McCormick, Washington J. (Washington Jay), 1884-1949

Washington J. McCormick, Jr. was born in Missoula, Montana in 1884. He became an influential attorney and politician. He attended public schools in Missoula, as well as the University of Montana. McCormick continued his education at Notre Dame and Harvard, and received his J.D. degree from Columbia University in New York City.

Washington McCormick, Jr. established his first law practice in Missoula, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. His political ambitions took him to Helena, Montana, and Washington, D.C. for short periods. McCormick was in the Montana State Legislature from 1919 to 1921, followed by a term in the United States House of Representatives from 1921 to 1923. Besides working for the interests of his constituents, one of McCormick’s personal goals in Congress was the adoption of an official American language.

Later in life McCormick used his vast knowledge of Montana history to write short stories about the people, culture, and politics of the region. Some were published in local newspapers, but the majority were intended for only friends and family. A group of his short stories was published around 1980 under the title Colors From An Old Montana Sluice Box by the Friends of the University of Montana Library. Always interested in preserving local history, McCormick allowed his family ranch at Fort Owen (Stevensville, Montana) to become a state park. He also tried to move Fort Missoula’s records to the University of Montana for preservation after the base became inactive.

McCormick married Edna Fox in 1915 and they had three children, including Washington McCormick III who died in 1932. McCormick was later married to Cora Quast, who made efforts to publish his works posthumously. Washington McCormick, Jr. died on March 7, 1949 in Missoula at the age of 65.

From the guide to the Washington J. McCormick, Jr., papers, 1932-1957, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)