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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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John McDermott.

In the enterprising little city of Bridgewater, John McDermott is known as a representative citizen.  His business interests are extensive and are most carefully and wisely managed, for his judgment is sound, his discrimination keen and his energy unfaltering.  He conducts a growing lumber business in the town, deals in coal and also buys grain.  In addition he is the owner of a farm of seven hundred and seventeen acres in Washington township and is extensively engaged in stock-raising.  He was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 18, 1857, and in the same year his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) McDermott, who were also natives of that state, brought their family to Iowa, taking up their abode upon a farm in Cass county, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest.  In their family were eighty children, of whom six are yet living.

John McDermott was reared on the Cass county farm with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm-bred boy.  He performed such work as he could do in accordance with his age and strength and his work in the fields was alternated by attendance at the district schools.  After reaching adult age he began farming on his own account in Cass county, Iowa, and in 1892 he removed to Adair county, settling in Bridgewater.  Since that time he has been engaged in the lumber business, in connection with which he handles all kinds of building materials and coal and also buys grain.  His business has assumed extensive and gratifying proportions and his well managed interests have brought to him splendid financial return.  He has likewise made judicious investment in farm lands and is now the owner of seven hundred and seventeen acres in Washington township, whereon he handles Percheron horses and high-grade cattle and hogs, his stock-raising interests being one of the important features of his business.  It is characteristic of him that whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and obstacles and difficulties are not allowed to bar his path but serve rather as an impetus for renewed effort.  He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land at Kimball, South Dakota, and another farm of a quarter section adjoining the village of Bridgewater.

In 1884 Mr. McDermott was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Marsh, who was born near Colorado Springs, Colorado, her parents being Charles and Elizabeth (Millhollin) Marsh, natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa respectively.  They removed to Colorado in an early day but at the end of about four years returned to Iowa.  Charles Marsh and Henry McDermott were bosom friends of about the same age and lived as neighbors for a half century.  Both died when eighty-seven years of age and were buried at the same time.  Mrs. McDermott was one of a family of seven children, five of whom survive.  By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, as follows:  Ethel E., who is the wife of Samuel Love;  Burt B., at home;  Verna, who is now a student in Drake University;  D. D., at home;  Ella, who is attneding school;  Kenton;  Clayton;  and Ellis, who is deceased.

Mr. McDermott exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board.  He cooperates heartily in all plans and projects for the public good.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees, and they guide their lives according to its teachings.  Both Mr. and Mrs. McDermott are held in high esteem and richly merit the warm regard given them, for they display many admirable traits of heart and mind.

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