Thomas McDermott was born on March 11th, 1853, in Green County, Wisconsin, near Albany and died at the Gothenburg hospital in Gothenburg, Nebraska, on August 9th, 1933, at the age of eighty years, five months, and twenty-eight days. He was one of a family of ten children born to Michael McDermott and Rhoda Peckham McDermott, being the oldest son.

He leaves to mourn his passing two brothers, John A. McDermott of Richland Center, Wisconsin, and Alfred McDermott of Albany, Wisconsin; two sisters, Lillie McDermott and Dalhia McDermott, both of Albany, Wisconsin; and six nephews and two nieces as well as other relatives, and a host of friends and acquaintances. Three brothers and two sisters have preceded him in death, namely: William H., who died in infancy, and Martin, Stephen, Polly, and Rosa McDermott Burrows, all of whom attained manhood and womanhood.

He suffered a fractured hip as the result of a fall on April 19, 1933, which necessitated his confinement in the Gothenburg hospital, where he remained until his death. He seemed to be well on the road to recovery until he suffered a paralytic stroke on August 3rd, 1933, which resulted in his death a few days later.

Thomas McDermott came to Nebraska in March 1885 with his father, brother and sister, and settled on a homestead northwest of Farnam in Lincoln county, on which he has since resided. He accumulated considerable property and added to his land holdings until the original homestead is now only a small part of a ranch of considerable acreage, known as the McDermott Ranch.

Mr. McDermott lived an active and robust life, and took an active interest and part in the management and operation of his ranch, even during his advanced years. He was a capable business manager, and always a most conservative and careful one, and, in the operation of his ranch and conduct of his business affairs, displayed shrewd judgement and keenness of mind.

Thomas McDermott was one of our real pioneers, having lived in this community for nearly fifty years. He was a man of sturdy, rugged character, and of simple tastes. He was industrious and hard -working. Always loyal to his friends and associates, he took a sincere interest in them, and never failed to cheerful and willingly lend his cooperation and assistance whenever needed. He bore an enviable reputation for honesty and integrity.

Although not a member of any church so far as known, he was a man of high ideals, and had a remarkable philosophy of life which he earnestly endeavored to exemplify in his daily living. Having had no family of his own, Mr. McDermott took into his home two nephews, twins Elbert and Alfred McDermott, who, while still very young, had lost their mother, and assumed the responsibility of bringing them up and giving then the advantages of a real home.

Funeral services, conducted by Rev. William Kilburn, pastor of the Gothenburg Methodist church, were held at the Should funeral home in Gothenburg, on Friday afternoon, August 11th. Pall bearers were Thomas Adney, F.L. Alexander, W.H. Anderson, Wm. Ruddock, C.O. Soules, and C.C. Tingley. Interment was made in Peckham cemetery.

The Farnam Echo. Farnam, Dawson County, Nebraska. August 18, 1933.