Ohio County, West Virginia Biography of Edward J. MCDERMOTT ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Suzie Crump , April 2000 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The AMerican Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg.28 EDWARD J. MCDERMOTT is proprietor and owner of the business conducted under the title of the Woodsdale Motor Car Company, with headquarters at Woodsdale, situated on the National Road and constituting a suburb of the City of Wheeling. In 1913 Mr. McDermott began business on the sire of his present modern and well equipped building, the original structure, 50 by 150 feet in dimensions, having since been greatly enlarged to meet the demands and requirements of the constantly expanding business. Mr. McDermott is a distributor of the Peerless and Scripps-Booth cars for the Panhandle District of West Virginia and for several counties in Eastern Ohio. He began operation on a modest scale, and the enterprise now involves the enlistment of a working capital of approximately $75,000. An efficient corps of employes is retained and branch establishments are operated at Moundsville and Wellsburg, this state, and at Steubenville and Barnesville, Ohio. Mr. McDermott was born at Buckhannon, Upshur County, West Virginia, September 5, 1884, and is a son of James and Catherine (Maloy) McDermott.; Mr. McDermott was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and was six years old at the time the family home was established in what is now West Virginia, in 1852. He was reared in Upshur County, and was there successfully engaged in farm enterprise for many years. His death occurred in 1919, and his widow is still living and resides at the old homestead in Upshur County, West Virginia. Edward J. McDermott attended the public schools and remained on the home farm until he was eighteen years old, when, in 1902, he found employment as a telephone lineman, his efficiency gaining him promotion to the position of foreman within two weeks after he initiated his service. Later he became master carpenter in connection with construction of railroad shops and stations on the Coal and Coke Railway, and his next advancement was to the position of chief clerk and purchasing agent for the Davis Colliery Company, then a subsidiary of the former company at Elkins. Later he served as head bookkeeper for a tannery at Hamilton, until the plant was destroyed by fire. Prior to initiating his independent career he had attended the Mountain State Business College at Parkersburg, West Virginia, graduating with high honors in 1907. He made a splendid record as traveling salesman for a leading firm. The Kelly & Jones Company, engaged in the mill, mine and plumbing supply business at Pittsburgh, and for four years he sold to dealers and factories through West Virginia and in assigned districts in Ohio Pennsylvania and Maryland. Incidentally he visited all parts of West Virginia, and established an excellent business reputation, while he had the distinction of making the largest single sale of valves ever turned in to his company. This sale was for 144 dozens, which were sold in the Uniontown coal district. Official appreciation of his work was shown in the tendering him of a more responsible position, in charge of a branch establishment in California. He did not accept this flattering offer, as he had decided to engage in independent business, and the unqualified success of his present enterprise has fully justified his decision. What he lacked in initial capital he made up in energy and progressiveness, and his vigorous and straightforward policies have been potent in the developing of his large and substantial business. Mr. McDermott is s staunch and active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, and he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic Church. At Kingsville, this state, Mr. McDermott wedded Miss Winifred King, and they have three daughters, Frances Angela, Marcella and Phyllis Marie.