John J. McDermott (Part 1)

Main Street, Westfield, Massachusetts

John Joseph McDermott was my grandfather's oldest brother.  I first became aware of him when I found him listed on the ship's manifest of the S. S. Celtic when my grandfather emigrated in April 1906.  He was going to join his brother John McDermott at 155 Main Street, Westfield, Massachusetts.   John's wife, Mary Healey, had died in June of 1905 and John was to be married on April 17 to Annie A (Biglin) McGetrick, widow of Owen McGetrick. 

John was employed by the Westfield Police department from 1902 until 1933.  The picture below is taken from the souvenir booklet printed at the time of the 250th anniversary of the town of Westfield, in 1919.  John McDermott is listed beneath as J. J. McDermott.  He is in the front row, 4th from the left. 
 
John and Mary (Healey) McDermott had four children: Ellen (or Ella) born November 1889, John, born September 1894, Daniel, born January 1897 and Mary (or May) Elizabeth, born June 1901.

In 1936 John and his wife Annie moved to California.  Both of John's sons served in World War I. 




Photo credit: Main Street Westfield, personal postcard collection; Our Police Department  from Westfield's quarter millennial anniversary official souvenir ... Published in connection with the 250th anniversary on the founding of the town of Westfield, Massachusetts, under the supervision of the Souvenir program committee, William F. Lyman, chairman - Plummer, Edgar Holmes, ed , from archive.org

Copyright 2011 Kathleen Sullivan. All Rights Reserved