1892-02-05- Almonte Gazette
Among the many fine residences erected in town during the past few years there is no finer appearance than the dwelling of Mr. T. W. McDermott, opposite the Roman Catholic. church, an excellent engraving of which is given above. It is located on the site occupied by the first parish priest who lived in Almonte, and within a stones throw of the site of the first school-house this neighborhood possessed.
It is built of brick, in modern style of architecture, and is a cozy-looking and elegant a home as could be desired. It consists of twelve spacious rooms, with summer kitchen attached, as well as a stable, carriage house and woodshed, all neatly and conveniently arranged. The house is heated with hot air and hot water from a furnace in the basement, and furnished in a manner that shows its owner knows what “home comforts” mean, and that he provides accordingly.
Few men in the Ottawa Valley ate more widely known than Almonte’s portly auctioneer, and in this connection a few words in regard to his life may prove of interest. Thomas Willard McDermott is a native of Ramsay, having been born on the fourth concession of that township, on the McDermott homestead, at present occupied by his eldest brother, Patrick.
He attended various schools, but finished his education in the Carleton Place (Grammar School), where he distinguished himself by taking a first class certificate with honours. He “taught the young idea” in Ramsay for about five years, and then resigned to accept a position in the North-West under the Hon. Wm. McDougall’a government there.
The insurrection out there blighted not only the Hon. William’s calculations, but T. W ’s. as well. The latter crossed the boundary and sojourned in Uncle Sam’s domains for three years, and during that time made a little pile by running a grocery and provision store in connection with lumber jobbing. At the end of the three years he married and returned to Canada, and for the last eighteen years he has occupied a prominent position in Almonte as a dealer in real estate, bankrupt stocks, etc. He is still in that line, is also C .P.R. ticket and telegraph agent, and is prospering. May his shadow ever increase.
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