John Fitzgerald(1831-1909)

FITZGERALD, BLACK

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 11/12/2008 at 07:59:14

Jackson Sentinel
May 13, 1909

Died.

FITZGERALD, John Miller Fitzgerald was born March 6, 1831, in Huntington county, Penn., and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1853. He was married Oct. 5, 1854, to Sarah C. Black, whose death occurred three weeks ago, after a union of fifty-five years. He passed quietly from this life at 12:45 a.m., May 2, 1909.

His life has been one full of manly and Christian activity in the service and betterment of his fellow man, during much of the time in various township and county offices, also offices in the Union League, Grange and Masonic bodies, and warden of the county hospital for 15 years. Still his most important duty and one never to be neglected, was to his church work. For 25 years an elder in the Presbyterian church, then a deacon for a number of years in the Congregational church, of which he was a member at death. Faithfully regular and prompt in attendance every Sabbath on church service as long as he was able, superintending, during his stronger years, from one to three Sabbath schools. Always ready to care for and pray with the sick and dying, or carry comfort to mourning ones, ‘till one need not wonder that Christian graces became ground work of his being. It will be always remembered that during the months of his clouded reason, the smallest service rendered him was most invariably met with his hearty “Thank you, God bless you.”

Straight-forward truthfulness, unquestioned honesty and integrity and a just recognition of the rights of others were accredited to him by all of the many who knew him, and his counsel and advice were sought accordingly.