Biography of Thomas O Fitzpatrick, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 14 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Transcribed by Lisa Hamilton from 
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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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FITZPATRICK - THOMAS - O - - - 4-6-1849 2-5-1940 - LOUGHRIDGE Cemetery

Thomas O. Fitzpatrick, a successful resident of St. Francis County, is of
Scotch-Irish descent, his great-grandfather having been obliged to come to this
country from Ireland for political causes. He struck for the liberty of his
countrymen. Upon arriving in the United States in the forepart of the eighteenth
century, he served in the Revolutionary War. His son, Edmund Fitzpatrick,
(grandfather of our subject) took part in the War of 1812, in which he held the
position of captain. He had a family of nine children. David Fitzpatrick, the
father of Thomas O., was born in Charlotte County, Va., on February 19, 1813. He
was twice married; first to Miss Clementine Walker, a native of Virginia, and
next to Permelia Hargrove who was the mother of three children: Marietta (the
wife of Rev. C. H. Ford), Isabella (wife of E. H. Sanders, of Little Rock) and
Thomas O. David Fitzpatrick was engaged in speculating in real estate until the
panic of 1837, when he was financially ruined, after which he followed farming
in Arkansas. Thomas O. was born in Lauderdale County, Tenn., in April, 1849. He
spent his younger days on the farm, and attended the common and high schools of
his county, and also had the advantages of a private tutor. On his return from
school he was appointed county surveyor of Cross County, which position he held,
also giving his attention to teaching, until 1871. He then started the Wittsburg
Gazette, the first paper published in that county, which he continued to operate
until he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and in this capacity remained
until the adoption of the new constitution in 1874, when he was again a
candidate on the Republican ticket, but was beaten by seventy votes. Coming to
St. Francis County he embarked in farming, and also erected a steam-gin, which
has proven a very profitable enterprise. In April, 1872, Mr. Fitzpatrick was
united in marriage to Miss Sallie E. Eldridge, and they have five children:
Eola, Garnett, Ernest D., Kate and Garfield. In 1883 Mr. Fitzpatrick was
appointed postmaster of Forrest City, holding that office until Cleveland's
administration. In September, 1886, he was elected county clerk, and still
discharges the duties of that position with satisfaction to the community, and
with credit to himself. He has also been a candidate on the Republican ticket
for State senator. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of L., K. of H. and of
the County Wheel.