Volusia County FlArchives Biographies.....Fitzgerald, Thomas Edward 1879 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 12, 2008, 10:28 pm Author: B. F. Johnson (1909) Thomas Edward Fitzgerald The combination of newspaper work and the practice of law is an ideal combination of professions. The competent lawyer acquires a use of English that enables him to choose the words that will convey the exact shade of meaning that he desires, while the editor's training develops the faculty of thinking quickly and facilitating his expression. In both the professions one's views are broadened, there is acquired a fund of human knowledge and afforded the opportunity of studying human nature from different viewpoints. A conspicuous instance of the successful lawyer-editor, who has made a success practicing law and is of the highest standing in his profession, and who as editor has made a bright, popular and influential newspaper is Thomas Edward Fitzgerald of Daytona. Mr. Fitzgerald is a native of Elroy, Wis., where he was born May 10, 1879, his parents being M. C. and Catherine Fitzgerald. He received his early education in the public schools, but when fourteen years of age he entered a printing office as apprentice, and learned the trade at Ellsworth, Wis. He came to Florida in December, 1900 and located at Daytona, where he purchased The Daytona Gazette News, which paper he still owns and edits, at the same time practicing law. He also published the Daytona Daily News during the tourist season. His ambition for the law was developed after he had manifested his ability to successfully manage and edit a newspaper. He studied law at John B. Stetson University at Deland, Fla., but did not graduate. He was admitted to the bar in 1905 and in his early practice showed such ability and learning that he was chosen for the office of city attorney of Daytona for 1907 and was re-elected for 1908. He also has a remunerative general practice. He is a prominent figure not only in the professional, but in the social life of Daytona. He was for three years Quartermaster and Commissary of the Second Battalion of the Second Regiment of Infantry of the Florida State Troops, with the rank of Second Lieutenant. Mr. Fitzgerald was twice elected to the very prominent and important position of Secretary of the Florida East Coast Automobile Association, under whose auspices the world-famous Ormond-Daytona beach races are annually held. He is a member of the Halifax River Yacht Club and affiliated with the Ancient Order of the Free and Accepted Masons, including the Chapter and the Commandery. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Fitzgerald was married August 10, 1900 to Edna L. Vandewater, a daughter of John S. and Cornelia Vandewater of Ellsworth, Wis. They have one son, Franklin Edward Fitzgerald. Mr. Fitzgerald is widely known throughout this popular section of the State and numbers among his friends men of prominence throughout the Union. Additional Comments: Extracted from: FLORIDA EDITION MAKERS OF AMERICA AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS VOL. III. Published under the patronage of The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida ADVISORY BOARD: HON. W. D. BLOXHAM COL. FRANK HARRIS HON. R. W. DAVIS SEN. H. H. McCREARY HON. F. P. FLEMING W. F. STOVALL C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY 1909 A. B. CALDWELL ATLANTA, GA. COPYRIGHT 1909 B. F. JOHNSON Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/volusia/photos/bios/fitzgera90gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/volusia/bios/fitzgera90gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/flfiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb