San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 719-720
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 12/13/2009
W.E. FITZ GERALD
A veteran of the Civil War, W.E. Fitz Gerald was born in Clinton, N.Y., February 5, 1840, where he received a good education in the Clinton public schools, then removing to Rutland, Vt., he went to work in the marble quarries until the breaking out of the Civil War. At the first top of the drive Mr. Fitz Gerald volunteered his services to his country, enlisting April, 1861, in Company H, 1st Vermont Cavalry, being mustered in for three months and was sent south with his command, taking part in the battle of Big Bethel. On the expiration of three months he was mustered out and returned to Vermont. He immediately reenlisted in the same company and registered for three years and served until after the close of the war. He was honorably discharged October, 1865, having taken part in many engagements, among them. Gettysburg, Antietam and many others, serving under Custer and Kilpatrick. Mr. Fitz Gerald was fortunately never wounded and served actively all the time.
On his return to Rutland, Vt., he became stationary engineer in the marble quarries, continuing for a period of two and a half years and then removed to the great West, when he helped on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad on the Central Pacific and was present at the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point in 1869. Next we find him in Texas, cattle ranching in Brown County; then for ten years in the hotel business at Brownwood. He then went to Colorado, engaging in mining at Boulder. At the time of the opening of Oklahoma he made his way thither and took a homestead of 160 acres, which he improved and farmed for eight years. In 1913 he disposed of his holdings there and coming to California, he settled in Humboldt County, but in 1915 he removed to Stockton where he is in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Mr. Fitz Gerald was married in Texas to Miss Rhoda Taylor who was born in Mississippi and they have had four children, three of whom are living: Ella, Mrs. Rechland of Grass Valley; Mrs. Josephine Rudesen of Stockton and Elizabeth, who makes her home with her parents. Mr. Fitz Gerald is a Republican and a member of Rawlins Post, G.A.R.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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