John FitzGibbon Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1188-1191 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN FITZGIBBON. 

	One of the most progressive and representative business men of 
Sioux Falls is John FitzGibbon, who since 1890 has been connected with 
the coal business here, being today the proprietor of one of the most 
profitable coal and wood yards in the vicinity. He was born in Troy, 
New York, September 25, 1857, and is a son of John and Mary (sire) 
FitzGibbon, natives of County Limerick, Ireland. The family is of 
Norman-French stock and was established in England at the time of 
William the Conqueror and in Ireland in 1169. The parents of our 
subject came to America in 1855 and located at Troy, New York, whence 
in 1858 they removed to a farm in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where 
both passed away and are buried. 

	John FitzGibbon acquired his early education in the district 
schools of Wisconsin and spent two terms in a business college at Fond 
du Lac. In 1880 he came to Sioux Falls and has been a resident of this 
city since that time, his activities constituting one of the greatest 
signal forces in community progress. During the first two years of his 
residence here Mr. FitzGibbon was variously employed, but in 1882 he 
became clerk in M. Gerin's Red Front Grocery, retaining that position 
for five years. He was afterward for three years steward of the 
Cataract Hotel and when he resigned that position became connected with 
the J. W. Sheridan Coal Company. In August, 1892, Mr. Sheridan went to 
Duluth and Mr. FitzGibbon purchased his interests in Sioux Falls. He 
has since been the proprietor of the coal and wood yards here and under 
his able and intelligent management the business has grown rapidly, 
being today an extensive and important enterprise. Mr. FitzGibbon 
understands the fuel industry in principle and detail and has founded 
his present success upon experience and ability. 

	In Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 11th of September, 1893, Mr. 
FitzGibbon was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Riordan, a daughter of 
Owen Riordan, who served in a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil war. 
Mr. and Mrs. FitzGibbon have three children: Grattan T. and John R., 
both graduates of the high school of Sioux Falls; and Paul Joseph, in 
school. 

	The family are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. 
FitzGibbon belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, serving as one of the financiers of the latter 
organization for years. He holds membership in the Dacotah Club' the 
Commercial Club and the Elks Club of Sioux Falls and is well known in 
social circles. A stanch democrat, he has been at all times interested 
in public affairs and is known as an earnest and public-spirited 
citizen. In April, 1909, when Sioux Falls adopted the commission form 
of government, he was elected one of the five city commissioners and 
assigned to the department of public safety, serving with credit and 
ability for three years. He proved a capable and intelligent official 
and in this as in all other relations of life did work which won for 
him the confidence and regard of his associates.