Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/130

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FITZGERALD


FITZMAURICE


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cantile trust companj', and a director and officer in man}' other prominent financial corporations. He resigned his office in the state guard in 1897 after a continuous service of forty years.

FITZGERALD, Oscar Penn, ME. bishop, was born in Caswt-U county, X.C, Aug. 24, 1829; son of Richard and Martha J. (Hooper) Fitzgerald, and of Irish descent. His education was acquired at the Oak Grove academy in Rockingham county NO He subsequently spent two years in a newspaper office at Lynchburg, Va. , and then engaged in teaching. In 1853 he joined the Methodist church, and was soon after licensed to pleach. In Decem- ber, 18.54, he was ad- mitted on trial in the Georgia conference and appointed as junior preacher at S.avannah. Upon the call of Bishop James .Andrew for volun- teers for the Cali- fornia mission in 18.55, he was transferred to that field where he remained until the spring of 1878 During his residence in California he served as station preacher, college agent, editor of the Pacific Methodist, the Christian Spectator, the California Teacher and the Home JVeirsjxipcr, and as state sui^erintendent of public institu- tions. In May, 1878, he was elected editor-in- chief of the Christian Advocate at Nashville, Tenn., the official organ of the Methodist Ejiis- copal church south, and continued in this office until May, 1890, when he was elected a bishop. His published works include: California Sketches (2 vols., 1879-81); Christian Groicth (1883); Cen- tcnarij Cameos (1884); Life of Tliomas 0. Summers; Life of John B. McFcrrin; Bible Xights (1888); Jiidi/e Lonystreet (18Q1); Glimpses of Truth; The Whetstone; and Br. Summers: A Life Study.

FITZGERALD, Thomas, senator, was born in Germantown, N Y., April 10, 1796; son of a Revolutionary soldier. He served in the war of 1813, and was admitted to the bar in 1817. He removed to Indianapolis, Ind., in 1818, and was a member of the state legislature for one year. In 1832 he went to St. Joseph, Mich., and practised his profession. He was a regent of the Univer- sity of Michigan from March 21 to June 1, 1837. He was a member of the commission appointed to investigate the so-called "Wildcat" banks which were abolished largely through his influ- ence. He was appointed U.S. senator to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Cass, resigned, and


served from June 20, 1848, to March 3, 1849. He was sul)sequently a probate judge. He died at Niles, Mich. , March 25, 18.55,

FITZQIBBON, Mary Irene (Sister Irene), philanthropist, was born in London, England, May 13, 1823. In childhood she immigrated to New York city with her parents, and on Jan. 15,

1850, was received by the Sisters of Charity at Mount St. Vincent, N.Y'. She entered the no- vitiate of St. Peter's school, New Y'ork city, in

1851, and in 1856 was appointed superior. After visiting the foundling asylums in the United States and in Europe, she organized the New York foundling asylum. In 1870 the legislature of the state authorized the city to grant the asylum a site and to appropriate §100,000 for the erection of suitable buildings, on the condition that an equal amount should be raised by private subscription. Through the efforts of Sister Irene the sum was raised and the asylum buildings erected. She also succeeded in raising §350,000 for the establishment of the Seatou hospital for incurables at Spuyten Duyvil, N.Y". She died in New Y'ork city, Aug. 14. 1896.

FITZHUGH, William Edward, naval officer, was born in Oliio, Oct. 18, 1832. He entered the U.S. marine service as a midshipman and served in the Mediterranean, 1849-51. He was grad- uated from the U.S. naval academy at Annapo- lis on June 15, 1854, and was promoted passed midshipman. He was made master Sept. 16, 1855, was commissioned lieutenant Dec. 15, 1855, and served on the coast of Africa, 18.58-60. On July 16, 1862, he was raised to the rank of lieu- tenant-commander and assigned to the steam sloop Iroquois of the North Atlantic blockading squadron. He was in Admiral Farragut's fleet and took part in the engagement and was present at the surrender of Fort Morgan, Aug. 23, 1864. While in command of the steamer Ouachita of the Mississippi sciuadron, 1864-65, he received the surrender of the Confederate naval forces on Red river. He was promoted commander July 25, 1866; captain, Nov. 25, 1876; commodore, Aug. 35, 1887; and at the time of his death was in command of the naval station at Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 3, 1889.

FITZMAURICE, John E., R.C. bishop, was born in Newton Sanders, County Kerry, Ireland, Jan. 9, 1839. He immigrated to America with his parents and settled in Philadelphia, where he was educated' to the i^riesthood. He was or- dained a priest in the Cathedral chajjel, Philadel- phia, Dec. 2, 1863, by Bishop Wood. He wa.i assistant priest at St. John's chvirch. 1862-65; at St. Paul's churcli in 1865; and organized and liad charge of the new parish of St. Agatha, 186.5-86. He was rector of the Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, Overbi-ook, Philadelphia, 1886-97, and