William Joseph McDermott (1851-1919)

KNOWLES, MCDERMOTT

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

September 20, 1851 --- September 3, 1919

W. J. McDERMOTT DEAD

Just as we go to press Wednesday afternoon we learn of the death of W. J. McDermott former roadmaster here. Complete obituary will appear next week.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
September 4, 1919

***

Rev. Father Terrence McDermott, who was called here by the serious illness and death of his father W. J. McDermott, is now located in Kansas City, where he has charge of a church and parish. He was but recently discharged from the army where he served in France as regimental chaplain. Father McDermott is an Eagle Grove boy.

***

W. J. MCDERMOTT REMOVED BY DEATH

Was Influential. Citizen and Roadmaster of C. & N. W. Came to Eagle Grove 36 Years Ago.

Mr. W. J. McDermott; former roadmaster of the Chicago & North Western railway died at the family residence Wednesday, September 3rd, 1919, after an illness of seven months. William, Joseph McDermott was born in St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, September 20, 1852 [1851]. He came to the United States with his parents shortly after the close of the Civil War, and settled in Tama county, Iowa. He was engaged in construction work with his father until 1882. In 1883 he married Miss Ella Brick, of Tama. To this union 8 children were born of whom six survive: Mrs. C. B. Knowles of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Father Terrance McDermott, formerly Chaplain in the U. S. Army, now Pastor of Holy Name Church, Kansas City, Mo.; the Misses Mary and Irene McDermott of Cedar Rapids, and John and Richard McDermott who are how attending Aquinas College, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. McDermott came to Eagle Grove in the early nineties and resided here since. His first wife died in January, 1904, and in the fall of 1905 he married Mrs. Mary Dowd of Eagle Grove. Owing to continued ill health, Mr. McDermott was forced to retire from active duty with the Northwestern railway in the fall of 1918, after 42 years of service with this company, 37 of those being continuous.

Mr. McDermott was a most loving and kind father. His every thought was of his family, and his greatest happiness consisted in seeing them happy. As an employe and officer of the C. & N. W. Ry., he was loyal and painstaking, devoting the best years of his life to the interests of this company.

The funeral of Mr. McDermott was held from Sacred Heart Church, in Eagle Grove, Friday morning, September 5th. His son, Father Terrence, celebrated Mass, assisted by Father Nolan, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church as Deacon, and Father Howell of Dubuque College, as Sub-deacon, Father Michael Eardley, of Belmond, Iowa, delivered the sermon. He dwelt at length and with much feeling on the beautiful virtues, which characterized the life and death of the deceased.

The pallbearers were the six brothers of Mr. McDermott: Matthew and Terence of Des Moines; John of Milwaukee, Andrew and Thomas of Iroquois, S. D.; and Edmond of Huron, S. Dak. Besides the above left to mourn him Mr. McDermott leaves a mother, 90 years of age, who makes Des Moines her home.

The following priests, with the above mentioned, came to Eagle Grove to pay their last respects to the deceased and his family: Father Desmond, of Sacred Heart Parish, Fort Dodge; Father John O’Meara, of Williams; Father Bomholt of Garner; Father Thos. Barry of Webster City; and Father Wm. Torpey, of Clarion, Iowa.

***

Card of Thanks.

We wish to thank all our friends, especially Father Nolan, Father Howell and Father Mulligan, who so kindly assisted us during the last illness and after the death of our beloved husband and father.

Mrs. W. J. McDermott and Family.

Eagle Grove Times-Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
September 10, 1919

***

[Transcriber’s Note: Transcribed as published. Ontario, Canada, Roman Catholic Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1760-1923 Name: William McDermott Baptism Age: 0 Event Type: Baptism Birth Date: 20 Sep 1851 Baptism Date: 3 Nov 1851 Baptism Place: Stratford, Ontario, Canada Father: Terrence McDermott Mother: Mary Herron. Baptism: Name: William Joseph McDermott 1851-1919 Date: 3 Nov 1851 Place: Stratford, Perth, Ontario Location: St. Joseph’s RC Church; sponsors Richard Herron & Catherine Paton. 1900 U. S. Federal Census Name: W. J. McDermott Age: 48 Birth Date: Sep 1851 Birthplace: Canada Home in 1900: Eagle Grove, Wright, Iowa Marital Status: Married Spouse’s Name: Ellen A McDermott. Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1940 1883-317 (Pottawattamee-Tama) for G. Wm McDermott Age: 28 Birthplace: Canada Father: Terence McDermott Mother: Mary Opern Spouse: Nellie Agnes Brick Age: 26 Birthplace: Tama Father: Michael Brick Mother: Kate O’Connor Marriage Date: 28 Jun 1883 Marriage Place: Tama City, Tama County, Iowa.]