Individual 49: McDermott, Milton Martin

Individual Record 49

Name} McDermott, Milton M. (Mac)

Family History} Hancock

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Exa 27 Nov 1918

Place} , Napa, California

Marr.: Date} Cir 1944

Place} (Link)

Marr.: Date} Exa 25 Oct 1972

Place} Warren Street, Napa, Napa, California (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 7 Jun 2002

Place} Portola, Plumas, California

Burial: Date} Cir 9 Jun 2002

Place} Napa, Napa, California

Grave Marker}

Source 1}	848 = Birth record
Source 2}	303 = 1920 US cen
Source 3}	853 = 1930 US cen
Source 4}	1789 = Newspaper
Source 5}	1587 = 1940 US cen
Source 6}	1187 = Military rec
Source 7}	1790 = Marriage
Source 8}	1586 = 1950 US cen
Source 9}	1595 = Marriage
Source 10}	1793 = Newspaper
Source 11}	415 = Address list
Source 12}	1600 = City directy
Source 13}	1594 = Public rec
Source 14}	1599 = S.S. record
Source 15}	604 = Obituary
Source 16}	675 = Photograph
Source 17}	694 = Photograph
Source 18}	751 = Photograph

Parents: } Martin J. McDermott & Martha Elizabeth (Bessie) Christensen
Relationship No.} None

1st Household No.} 23 = 590 Silverado Trail, Napa, California

Occupation 1} Carpenter
Occupation 2} Ship fitter

Religion/Church} Catholic

Spouses: First} Beland, Natalie
Second} Williams, Ruby Lorraine
Total Number of} 2

Notes: Milton Martin McDermott was born 27 Nov 1918 in Napa County, California. His parents were Martin J. McDermott & Martha Elizabeth (Bessie) Christensen. He had an older sister Pearl and a sister who had died as an infant. He grew up in the 1920s in the Carneros district of Napa, next door to the Theodore Williams family, and a few houses away from the Ed McFarren family.

In the 1920 U.S. census, Milton, 1, was living with his parents Martin McDermott, 35, and Bessie M., 30, on Sonoma Hill Road, Carneros, Napa, California. His father was a grain farmer, and they owned their farm free of mortgage. His sister Pearl G. was 7. The photo at the left is of Milton in 1920. The photo at the right shows Milton in 1924 with Viola Williams.

Milton attended the Carneros School, and on his promotion to third grade at the 1927 Flag Day and Commencement exercises, he participated in a song "Salute to the Flag". In the 1930 exercises he participated in the play "Playing Truant" as one of the boys.

In the 1930 U.S. census, Milton, 11, was living with his parents, Martin McDermott, 47, and Bessie, 43, in the Carneros precinct, Napa. His father was now working at the government navy yard at Mare Island as a coppersmith helper. He and his sister Pearl Smelser, 18, both attended school. Living in the household was his maternal grandfather, Christen Christensen. His mother Bessie died in August 1930. He graduated from Napa Intermediate School in 1933.

Milton was very active in the Napa Union High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America. He won many awards, including those for farm implements and for crops. In May 1937, as the chapter President, he attended the State Future Farmer 3-day convention at San Luis Obispo. He was also the first to be appointed to represent the Future Farmers at the Napa Farm Bureau meetings. He graduated from Napa Union High School in June 1937.

In the 1940 U.S. census, Milton McDermott, 21, was living at 1921B Jefferson Street, Napa. He was an apprentice carpenter in building construction, had earned $1,100. in the prior year, was renting his residence, and had finished high school. He registered for the World War II draft on 16 Oct 1940. His address listed was 5228 Old Sonoma Rd., with his father. He was working at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo; and was described as 5'9", 155 lbs., with blue eyes, brown hair and ruddy complexion.

In May 1943, Milton and Natalie Beland announced their engagement. They were married on Sunday, 12 Sep 1943, in a nuptial mass in the Napa Catholic Church. Milton was still an employee of the Mare Island Navy Yard. At some point, Milton served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and his wife visited him in San Diego in Jul 1944. In 1947 they were living at 2230 Georgia, Napa.

Milton was always close to the Simeon Williams family. The photo at the right shows him (third person from the right) at Elmer Kiser's going away party, held at the Williams' home at 1615 F Street, Napa, on 19 Jan 1944. He later married Lorraine Williams. The photo at the left shows Milton standing, with his son and Gayle Whitthorne on a pony circa 1948.

In the 1950 U.S. census, Milton M. McDermott, 30, and his wife Natalie C., 26, were living at 1153 Jefferson Street, Napa. Milton was a ship fitter at the US Naval Shipyard. Their children were Martin M., 4, and Cary T., 3. They later had one more child, Michael.

In Apr 1965, Milton was selected to serve on a jury in the Napa County Superior Court. A 31-year old Sacramento ex-convict was charged with strong-arming a Veterans Home member and stealing $200 from him. The jury returned a verdict of "not guilty". It caused the judge to comment: "I frequently wonder if juries don't get confused by the court's instructions. This might appear to be such a case." Milton's address at that time was 1153 Trower Ave., Napa.

In 1966, Milton and Natalie were listed as living at 170 W 226-2464, Napa. It was about this time that their marriage ended. In July 1970, Milton, 1170 Warren St., retired from Mare Island with 30 years of service. On 24 October 1972, Milton, 53, married Ruby L. Rath, 50, in Napa. Their first home was at 1170 Warren St., Napa. They later made their home at 590 Silverado Trail, Napa. This marriage lasted until her death in 1977.

Milton Mac McDermott, 83, died 7 Jun 2002, while on an extended fishing trip in the Sierra. He had been retired for more than 30 years and was a lifelong resident of Napa, California. A celebration of life was held at the family residence on 14 Jun 2002.