BIO: Thomas M. FITZGERALD, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 315-316.
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    THOMAS M. FITZGERALD, a recent portrait of whom is shown on the opposite
  page, is descended from a line of ancestral gardeners, and is very fond of
  the culture of flowers, which he has made his like-work. He conducts one of
  the most beautiful gardens in Beaver county, situated in the borough of
  Beaver, and he has established a reputation as one of the best artists in his
  profession. He was born in Hulton township, Allegheny county, Pa., February
  27, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Healey) Fitzgerald.
    
    The father of Thomas M. was born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, and
  when a boy, learned the trade of a gardener and became an expert in the
  culture of flowers; for nine years he managed the grounds and hothouse of
  Lord Colliss, of Tarbert township, County Kerry; Ireland; he then engaged
  with Dr. Barrington, of Glin, County Limerick, Ireland, for fifteen years. He
  subsequently went to Hamilton, Canada, where he spent two years, and, as he
  had many friends and acquaintances in Pittsburg, Pa., he located there in
  1866, and worked for many prominent men of that city, who owned large and
  handsome properties; he was employed by Mr. Murdick, Mrs. Deeny, and Mr.
  Charles McGee;. he now has charge of Mr. M. C. Miller's grounds at Turtle
  Creek. While working in the employ of Lord Colliss, he made the acquaintance
  of his present wife. Both being poor and not able to buy a home in their
  native country, Thomas decided to come to America in the effort to seek home
  and fortune; his plans being crowned with success, three years later he wrote
  for his intended wife, and, upon her arrival here, they were happily united in
  marriage. A few years later the health of Mr. Fitzgerald's mother began to
  fail, and he sent his wife and five children to his old home in Ireland,
  where they remained four years, - returning in much better health and
  spirits. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald are the parents of eight children: Joseph,
  deceased; John; Thomas M.; James; Annie; Mary; Edward, who served at Manila
  in Company B, 10th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf.; and William, deceased.
    
    The subject of this memoir attended school, four years, at Tarbert,
  Ireland, and in this country, at New Castle, Pennsylvania. While a mere boy,
  he assisted his father in the cultivation of flowers and improved every
  opportunity to gain a thorough knowledge of the art; in 1889, he came to
  Beaver to take charge of the beautiful grounds and hothouse of Hon. J. F.
  Draw, but a year later he leased the
    
    316  BOOK OF BlOGRAPHIES
    
  hothouse, and a. part of the grounds, of his employer, and now keeps one of
  the finest displays of flowers ever seen. The beds and plants are artistically
  arranged, and the choice, blooming flowers present an exquisite appearance; he
  is prepared to furnish flowers, on short notice, for funerals, weddings, and
  other occasions, and he also ships largely to other points. Mr. Fitzgerald is
  well deserving, and worthy of his large patronage, and he has shown the people
  of the vicinity that they always have at their command the most select
  assortment of floral beauties. He is genial and accommodating to all, and his
  pleasant manners and honest business methods, have won for him the esteem and
  good will of all who know him. He has not only adopted Beaver as his place of
  business, but likewise as his home, and he owns two fine lots on Commerce
  street, upon which he erected a handsome residence in 1893. In July, 1899, he
  purchased the Campbell estate, consisting of six and one-half acres on Fifth
  street, on which he will erect a large range of greenhouses to better
  accommodate his growing business.
    
    Mr. Fitzgerald wedded Nora, a daughter of Jeremiah Minihan, of County Cork,
  Ireland, and three children have resulted from their union: Mary Catherine,
  born July 16, 1896; John Leo, born February 23, 1898; and Joseph Thomas, the
  last two being twins. Religiously, our subject is a member of the Catholic
  church; politically, he is independent in his views.