James Thomas McDERMOTT, Congress, IL (1872-1938)

McDERMOTT James Thomas , a Representative from Illinois; born in Grand Rapids, Mich., February 13, 1872; attended the graded schools and St. Andrew's Cathedral School at Grand Rapids; moved with his parents in 1884 to Detroit, Mich., where he was taught telegraphy; employed in this occupation until 1889, when he moved to Chicago, Ill.; engaged in the retail tobacco business; elected as a Democrat to the Sixtieth and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1907, until July 21, 1914, when he resigned; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1912; again elected to the Sixty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1915-March 3, 1917); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1916; resumed his former business pursuits; died in Chicago, Ill., on February 7, 1938; interment in All Saints Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present