Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 149-151

CAPT. JOHN McDERMOTT is numbered among the gallant men who hastened to the defense of the country, and whose lives were sacrificed in upholding the flag.

Our subject was born at Carrick, Ireland, in 1822, and came to the United States at the age of nineteen, first locating in Wisconsin, at Mineral Point, Iowa county, where, like most of the early settlers of that part of the State, he engaged in mining. At the age of twenty-four he married in Highland township, Iowa county, Miss Elizabeth FLETCHER, of Mineral Point, and about 1850 located on land in Fennimore, Grant county. In 1852, when the gold excitement in California was at its height, he crossed the Plains to the Pacific Coast. Returning after an absence of about two years, Capt. McDERMOTT resumed farming, and was successfully pursuing that occupation when the war of the Rebellion was inaugurated. His loyalty to the Union, his fearlessness and sense of duty, did not long permit him to stand idly by and see others rushing to the front, while he remained at home in the pursuit of ordinary business. Early in 1862 he began raising a company, and succeeded in the formation of Company C, 20th Wis. V.I., with Capt. McDERMOTT in command. The regiment was organized in August, 1862, and soon after was engaged in active service at the front. At the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862, the 20th took a prominent part, and made the first charge on the enemy. They were met unexpectedly by a greatly superior force, and were obliged to fall back. While doing so, the color bearer and color guards were the especial targets of the enemy, and were shot down. As the colors fell Capt. McDERMOTT seized the flag, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, but had scarcely done so when he too fell dead. Thus died, in defense of his country, a brave soldier and loyal-hearted citizen.

Capt. McDERMOTT was sincerely mourned, not only by his own command, but by all who had come to know his gallantry and sterling worth. It is the universal testimony, of those who knew him best, after nearly forty years have passed away, that when Capt. McDERMOTT died the Nation lost one of its bravest officers. He left his wife with six children to rear. The noble mother, faithful to the charge that devolved upon her, carefully brought them up, and all have become respected and useful men and women. They are: Sarah, wife of Samuel STEUERT, of Fennimore; Mary, wife of Leander WALKER; Emma; Isabel, wife of Melvin SHEARER; Dr. Thomas E. McDERMOTT; and Prof. Edward Eugene McDERMOTT. The good wife and mother passed away at her home in Fennimore Nov. 1, 1887, deeply mourned by her family and friends. She was a lady of a high order of ability, and will long be remembered by all who knew her.

Thomas E. McDERMOTT, M.D., was educated at the Platteville Normal School and the Wisconsin State University, at Madison. In 1879 he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he pursued the study of medicine, and then entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated three years later with the degree of M.D. Following his graduation, for a year and a half, Dr. McDERMOTT was resident physician of the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, since which time he has resided at Fennimore, engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. McDERMOTT has built up a large and lucrative practice, and is held in high esteem, both professionally and socially.

Prof. Edward Eugene McDERMOTT was educated at the Northwestern State University, Evanston, Ill., where he graduated in the class of 1883. For three years he was principal of the high school at Lancaster, and now occupies the Chair of Oratory in the University of Minnesota.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck