Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Fitzgerald, Thomas April 25, 1854 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 4, 2006, 2:48 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 405, 406

THOMAS FITZGERALD
	One of the leaders in the legal profession in the county, a man of 
great research and fine capabilities, the subject of this sketch is accorded a 
representation in this volume by force of right, and it is with pleasure that 
we give in review the salient points in his enterprising and interesting 
career, wherein has been manifested not only the keenness, continuity and 
force of character with breadth of comprehension so essential to a successful 
practice of his profession, but also stance integrity, upright principles and 
intrinsic moral worth.
	Born to Thomas and Mary (O’Laughlin) Fitzgerald, in Marion county, 
this state, on April 25, 1854, he remained there until 1881, gaining a good 
education in the common schools and at St. James College, in Vancouver, 
Washington, from which institution he took his degree in 1874. One year 
subsequent to this he bought land for himself near Salem and gave himself to 
the art of agriculture, using the spare moments to read law. In 1880 he sold 
this property and removed to Salem, where he finished the legal studies and 
was admitted to the bar at the March term of the supreme court, 1881, and the 
following October he removed to Pendleton and opened an office, where success 
attended his efforts from the beginning.  In 1890 he went to Port Townsend, 
Washington, and took up the practice of law there for seven years, and then 
returned to Pendleton, and in August of the following year he was appointed 
referee in bankruptcy of the United States district court for the district of 
Oregon for a term of two years, and at the end of the term he was reappointed 
for another two-year term, and in this capacity he is at present serving.  In 
addition to this, he was elected, in June, 1900, as justice of the peace for 
Pendleton district for a term of two years, the duties of which office he 
discharges in conjunction with those in his other official capacity.  He has 
also held the position of deputy district attorney for four years here, and 
was district attorney for Jefferson county, Washington, in 1896.  He 
affiliates with the B.P.O.E., Lodge No. 288, being its present exalted ruler, 
and Umaholis Tribe, No. 18, I.O.R.M., of which he is the present sachem, both 
of Pendleton.
	The marriage of Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Addie F. Brant occurred in 
Vancouver, Washington, on January 14, 1885, and they are the parents of six 
children; Frances, Gertrude, Alfred, Geraldine, Arthur and Milton. The family 
are members of the Roman Catholic church and ardent supporters of their faith. 
Mr. Fitzgerald’s father crossed the plains in 1846 and passed the winter of 
1846-47 at the Whitman station, leaving, however, in the spring, thus 
fortunately avoiding the awful massacre of 1847 at that place.  He died on May 
16, 1860. The mother crossed the plains in 1852, and is still living on the 
old donation claim near Salem.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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