Biographies
MRS. GEORGIANA McDERMOTT
MRS.
GEORGIANA MCDERMOTT.--A very interesting old
settler, who is herself a native daughter, is Mrs. Georgiana McDermott, born on
Carson Creek, Eldorado County, California, who comes of a prominent old pioneer
family. Her father, George Hanlon, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1823. He
removed with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hanlon, to Des Moines, Iowa, in
1853. George Hanlon, then a young man, decided to come to the gold diggings in
California; so he crossed the plains, coming in an ox-team train to Sacramento
County. He followed teaming to the mines and mining in Eldorado County, until
1860, when he located at what is now Mills Station on the Placerville road in
Sacramento County, and there he purchased land, being very successful in his
farming operations. He added to his ranch until he owned 1,150 acres; and he
purchased other lands and owned three large ranches near Mills, one on the
Cosumnes, another on Deer Creek, and one in Eldorado County, being a leader as
a farmer, stockraiser and dairyman. His demise occurred July 26, 1901, removing
from this sphere one of the most enterprising and progressive upbuilders of the
county. He had married in Ohio in 1844 Miss Mary Cable, who passed on at the
home ranch near Mills August 6, 1883. They were the parents of four children:
Georgiana, the subject of this interesting review;
Sarah, Mrs. Swickard, died in Sacramento December 9, 1921; Mrs. Catherine
Baker, died January 23, 1901; and John J., died July 23, 1886. Georgiana is the
only one now living of this family. She spent her girlhood on the home ranch at
Mills Station, and being fond of the great outdoors, she rode horseback,
assisted in the home and attended the Kinney school. On May 1, 1873, occurred
her marriage to John McDermott, the ceremony occurring in Sacramento. He was
born at Manayunk, Pa., February 7, 1847, where he attended the public school
until he volunteered his services for the Civil War, enlisting March 22, 1862,
when only fifteen years of age in Company A, 81st Pennsylvania
Regiment, to serve for three years, but on November 28, 1862, was honorably
discharged on account of physical disability. On July 11, 1864, he again
enlisted, this time in Company L, 192nd Pennsylvania Regiment, for
100 days, serving as sergeant until he was mustered out in November, 1864. Soon
after the close of the war he came to California and engaged in ranching. After
their marriage they engaged in farming one of the George Hanlon ranches,
continuing at ranching until his death, on July 21, 1919. He was a member of
the G.A.R., the Odd Fellows, and the Veteran Odd Fellows, having been a member
of the order for forty-four years.
Mr. and Mrs. McDermott had been blessed
with seven children: Mrs. Mary Schulze died August 11, 1917, leaving two
children, Melvin and Elmer, both residing with their Grandmother McDermott;
Clara is Mrs. Keogel, of Blue Canyon; James is farming in North Sacramento;
Mrs. Ethel Smallholz resides in Pittsburg and has a son, Melville; Lealand,
while hunting with a companion, was accidentally killed when a lad of fourteen;
George H. is dead; and Mrs. Annie Lairdson lives at Mills.
Mrs. McDermott still owns her two ranches
of 372 and eighteen acres, respectively, located at Mills Station, which she
rents, and they are devoted to grain-raising, while she makes her home in
Sacramento. She is a member of Capital City Rebekah Lodge No. 160, as well as
of the Woman’s Relief Corps, and the Women and Girl Workers of the Civil War.
Politically she is a stanch Republican.
Transcribed by Vicky Walker, 2/27/07.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 411. Historic Record Company,
© 2007 Vicky Walker.