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Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy

McDermott, John H.

JOHN H. McDERMOTT, president and general manager of the McDermott Brothers Company, was born at Trexlertown, Lehigh County, Pa., December 3, 1869, being the son of John and Mary (Cunnigham) McDermott. He came to Allentown early in life and was educated in the public schools, after which he learned the boiler-making trade. In 1895 he was one of the organizers of McDermott Brothers, with shops located at Bethlehem. He continued in business there until 1908, when the McDermott Brothers Company was organized at Allentown. This progressive firm of which John H. and Thomas J. McDermott are members, has erected cement mills and standpipes and executed other important work in their special lines in all parts of the United States. They have also exported dryers to foreign countries. The subject of this sketch has always been an active Democrat and an influential citizen. at the age of twenty-two he was appointed assistant chief of the Allentown Fire Department, serving three years. In 1904 he was elected by city councils a member of the board of water commissioners, and was chairman of that body five years. He is also vice president of the Security Building and Loan Association. He is a member and former president of teh Hibernia Fire Company, and belongs to the follwoing organizations: Allentown Lodge B. P. O. E.; Knights of Columbus; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Columbus, Country and Lehigh Democratic Clubs. Mr. McDermott was married to Jet Ward, daugher of the late Bernard and Margaret Ward, of Allentwon, June 9, 1896.