Thomas FITZGERALD, Congress, MI (1796-1855)

FITZGERALD, Thomas, a Senator from Michigan; born in Germantown, Herkimer County, N.Y., April 10, 1796; pursued an academic course; served and was severely wounded in the War of 1812 in the Fifth Regiment, New York Militia; taught school in Marcellus, N.Y.; in 1819 moved to Boonville, Warrick County, Ind., where he taught school; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced practice in Boonville; member, State house of representatives 1821; appointed keeper of the lighthouse at the mouth of the St. Joseph River 1832; moved to St. Joseph, Mich.; clerk of Berrien County 1834; regent of the University of Michigan in 1837; appointed bank commissioner 1838; elected to the State house of representatives in 1839; unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1839; appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lewis Cass and served from June 8, 1848, until March 3, 1849; moved to Niles, Mich., in 1851; probate judge of Berrien County 1852-1855; died in Niles, Mich., March 25, 1855; interment in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Bibliography

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present