Elmore County AlArchives Biographies.....Fitzpatrick, John Kelly August 15, 1888 - April 18, 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ronald Bridges bridgesrd@knology.net April 25, 2006, 8:21 pm Author: Elizabeth Porter "A great artist, too, was lost to Wetumpka by death - Kelly Fitzpatrick, a man universally beloved and respected. He was the son of Dr. Phil Fitzpatrick and Lovedy Kelly Fizpatrick, born August 15, 1888. Kelly was an artist of national reputation. His murals adorn the walls of the Capitol of the State of Alabama and of other prominent buildings. His pictures hang in the White House. Only recently President Eisenhower had one of these pictures moved into his office at the White House, the one moved was 'The Old Mill Stream' a picture which has been very much admired. Many of his pictures are hug in the Montgomery Museum of Arts and in the University Law School. The University of Alabama has six of his pictures hanging in its different buildings. Many homes prize very highly their pictures painted by Kelly. Kelly Fitzpatrick was president of the Alabama Art League and a director of the Dixie Art Colony. Many one-man exhibits of his oil and water color paintings have been shown in different cities of the United States. Kelly loved the Southern scenes and he loved to paint pictures with sunshine in them. A friend of his has said: "He painted in vivid colors and painted so much sunshine, because he knew life was many times without this for so many people. His mural, 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot,' in the State Department of Archives and History shows his understanding of is beloved Southland. Many of his pictures reflect the years he spent in France, studying at Academic Julian. Some of his most beloved pictures are the ones he painted from scenes of his own home and his own favorite spots around his home town. Kelly Fitzpatrick also had talent for writing. At the time of his death, according to his friends, he was writing a book, 'About The Alabama River'. His beloved art, however, was his painting. When he died in 1951*, the town felt it had sustained one of its greatest losses." (1) (1) A History of Wetumpka, by Elizabeth Porter. Pages 172-173. Published by Wetumpka (Ala.) Chamber of Commerce on October, 1957. Copy at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Researched by Ron Bridges on 2 Feb 2004. * His grave marker has 1953 inscribed on it. "Located on Highway 231 in Wetumpka, AL there is sign, which has printed on it: "Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Roadside Park". There are two picnic tables and a one sided brick wall about five feet tall with a marble plaque that has inscribed on it: Dedicated to the Memory of John Kelly Fitzpatrick Eminent Southern Artist Born Aug. 15, 1888 Died Apr. 18, 1953 At the bottom of the brick wall on the ground is a square marker that has inscribed on it: Austin (Rudy) Martin Apr. 17, 1914 Apr. 15, 1989" (1) (1) Recorded by Ron Bridges on 25 Apr 2006. Additional Comments: He is buried by his father Dr. Phillips Fitzpatrick (b. 15 Mar 1830 in Wetumpka, AL & d. 29 Apr 1901 in Wetumpka, AL) and mother Lovedy Jane Kelly (b.Mar 1850 in Montgomery, AL & d. Sep 1913 in AL)in Wetumpka City Cemetery, Wetumpka, Elmore Co., AL. Dr. Phillips Fitzpatrick is named after his Grandmother Celia Anne Phillips, who was married to William Fitzpatrick. 1860 Federal Census of Autauga County, Alabama - Wetumpka Beat HOUSE NAME AGE SEX COL OCCUPATION VALUE POB P# 1238 FITZPATRICK, P. 30 M W PLANTER 0 AL 175 1238 FITZPATRICK, MARY 26 F W 0 AL 175 1238 FITZPATRICK, EUGENIA 2 F W 0 AL 175 LARGEST SLAVEHOLDERS FROM 1860 SLAVE CENSUS SCHEDULES - AUTAUGA CO., AL FITZPATRICK, Phill., 61 slaves, Wetmupka, Page 55 Sergeant Phillips Fitzpatrick - Semple's Artillery Battery. Enlisted at rank of Private, later promoted to 7th Sergeant and Acting Assistant Surgeon. Furnished a replacement, Thomas R. Bullock on July 20, 1862. Enlisted May 4, 1863 at rank of Private into Samuel B. Marks' Company, Montgomery Home Guard. Son of Governor Benjamin Fitzpatrick. Buried at Wetumpka City Cemetery. "Dr. Fitzpatrick had his early educational training at Wetumpka, Ala., and in 1849 graduated with honor from the state university, and in 1854, graduated in medicine from the state university at New Orleans. He engaged in planting till the war and early in 1862 he joined Semple's battery and shortly afterward was transferred to the medical department as acting assistant surgeon, which rank he held till the close of the war. After the war he resumed his practice and still follows it, but he has always been a planter on a large scale. He is a member of the State Medical association and has been president of the County Medical society. He was married in 1858, to Mary Bethea, of Alabama, who died in 1878 and was the mother of five children; one son and two daughters are living. In 1882, he married Jennie, daughter of Dr. James A. Kelley, of Alabama, by whom he has three children. Both of his wives belonged to the Presbyterian church." (1) (1) "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 934-935. Published by Brant & Fuller (1893). Madison, WI. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/elmore/bios/fitzpatr725gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb