The Irish standard., 1906-07-21
PIONEER OF DUBUQUE.
Ausustin S. McDermott Who Lived
There II Years, Dead.

| Au9uS1in .. mCOermOtt VINO kiVSQ
There ~ Years, Dead.
Dubuque, July Especial interest
attaches to the death of Augustin
Sylvester McDermott, who passed
away at his home in this city Friday
afternoon at O'Clock. The late Mi.
McDermott had the distinction of be-
ing the first male white child in Du-
buque. Eldest son of James McDer-
mott, who has long since been gath
first saw the light of day in Dubuque
in the year 1884. on Sept. 16, at the
old family residence on Grandview
avenue. The elder McDermott died in
1877.
There was one white child whose
birth anle-d dated that of our subject.
1t was Il girl, /, Miss Mary McGraney.
She appeared on the scene less than
two years before the birth of Mr. Nc
Dermott.
Dubuque in 1884 may without quail
lication. be said to have been wear
ing her swaddling clothes. Where now
stand substantial brick and stone
buildings We're rude shacks if any
form of habitation existed. Lanes and
COW paths, the forerunners of the brick
thoroughfares were in evidence Com
mercialism comprised barter and sale
and the Indian was an important ele-
ment in the affairs of the community
The iron horse and the steel shOd
track were unknown and the river was
the great and only artery of traffic.
practically the only method of COM
munication With real civilization. st.
Louis was the market for the lead ore,
industries of the section.
Julien Dubuque. the reputed found
er of the city that bears his name.
had then been laid at rest little more
than IL score of years. MIR. McDermott
had made the Key City and Dubuque
county his home throughout his life
time. tle had seen it all but begun.
watched its growth and participated
in the development through the stages
of the struggling village. the preten-
tious town to the splendid city, sec
ond in the state. and strictly modern
and progressive that marks it today.
Mr.. McDermott was one of the
few remaining connecting links be-
tween the stage coach days when the
land WAS being converted from the
stiles of life were the object of strug-
gle and the present highly cultivated
soil and commercial prosperity that
marks Iowa today.
While a mere child, with his par
entS, our subject removed to 4; farm
in Il neighboring township of the
county where he attended the bis
trict schools. 1t was on the farm that
Mr.. McDcrmOtt grew to manhood. In
formed IL partnership known as Me
Cam & McDermott. for the handling
of harvesting machinery and other
! farm implements.
When Mr.. Mccain was elected
sheriff, Mr. McDermott continued the
business representing in this section
. Mccormick 4 Sattley and other man
ufacturers of farm machinery. He
continued the business practically up
to the time of his death He made
hosts of friends by his square deal
ing and genial disposition. and his
business was Il success from the start.
1t was but Il year ago that the
weight of his more than three score
years and ten began to tell on him.
A week ago his ailment became SER
Ious and he passed peacefuly away
as stated Friday afternoon.
Deceased is survived by his wife.
whose maiden name was Margaret
McDermott { Il mere coincidence. M
relationship existing between the fam
iliesl and eight children. two 9TH
ers having been born to the couple
The survivors are: II. j.. Baltimore;
]. A.. Sioux City: Mrs. J. n. F'itZgib-
bon. Davepport; and Miss Ida, Du-
buquc. Seven brothers also survive
three having died. The former are:
Edward. William. Ambrose. j. L..
Michael. Joseph. and Matthias. all OF
Dubuque county save Ambrose wht
resides ut Clare. Iowa.
The funeral was held from the ca.
thedral. with interment at Mt. Olivet
MRS. r. r. MEAGHER.