Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 461
HON. THOMAS R. FITZGERALD, attorney-at-law, Muscatine, Iowa, was born at St. Jospeh, Berrian Co., Mich., March 4, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Baldwin ) Fitzgerald, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Rhode Island. Both parents died in Michigan. When ten years of age our subject went to New York City, where he remained four years attending school. In 1871, he came to Muscatine, and studied law with Judge Thomas Hanna, after which he was admitted to the bar in 1873, since which time he has been in constant practice in this city. He was admitted to partnership with his preceptor, Judge Hanna, and later S. M. Hughes became a member of the firm, which was styled Hanna, Fitzgerald & Hughes. The death of Judge Hanna occurred on the 4th of March, 1881, after which business was continued by Fitzgerald & Hughes, until 1883, since which time our subject has been alone in business. He is a pronounced Democrat in political sentiment, and has been prominently identified with local public affairs. He has served three times in the City Council, first in 1875, and again in 1876 and 1881. He was elected Mayor of Muscatine in 1877, and re-elected in the year 1882, the last time receiving the unanimous support of all parties. He has also served as a member of the School Board, and is a member of all the Masonic bodies of Muscatine, belonging to Hawkeye Lodge No.30. A.F.& A. M.; to Washington Chapter No.4, R.A.M.; to De Molay Commandery No.1,K.T.; and is also a member of the A.O.U.W. He was one of the original incorporators of the Muscatine Street Railway Company, and served as Secretary until November, 1888, and has been a member of the Board of Directors of that corporation since its organization. He is Vice President of the Muscatine Real Estate Company, and a stockholder in the Muscatine Fair Grounds and Park Association.

On the 20th of May, 1868, our subject and Miss Esther Hanna, daughter of Judge Hanna, were united in marriage. The lady was born in Rome, Ind. Three children grace their union, Bell, Fannie and Hiram, the latter two born in Muscatine. Mr. Fitzgerald has now been in practice in Muscatine for fifteen years, during which time he has been eminently successful, and has won a deserved place in the foremost ranks of the bar of this county. While in public office he discharged his duites with fidelity and promptness, and his business and social relations have always been such that naught can be said against them. His popularity among his friends and fellow-citizens is due to his courteous and kindly manner, and he well deserves the esteem and confidence which are given him on every side.

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