The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-09-19
DEATH OF HON. WILLIAM NJ
FITZPATRICK.

DEATH OF HON. WILLIAM NJ.
kILPATRICk.
Pioneer and Leading Citizen of Shia.
awassse County.
After several months sickness, Hon.
William M Fitzpatrick, formerly a we'll
known citizen of Owosso, died Thurs.
day morning at his home in Ann Arbor
and the remains will reach this city at
11I5 g. m. Saturday for interment ip
Oakhill cemetery The family and
friends will go directly to the cemetery
from the Ann Arbor train, funeral ser.
vices having been held in Ann Arbor in
the morning. Rev. B. q. Mattson will
of6ciate at the grave.
William NJ. Fitzpatrick was born Dec.
%, 1910. at Middlesex, Yates county,
New York, spending the first years Of
his life on farm and attended the dis
trict school. His early years were
passed In way common to the youth
of his time but at the age of 10 years he
had decided to study law and his future
course was shaped with that end in
view. He entered upon an academic
course at Rushville. New York, after
which he attended the Genesee Semin.
ary. After attending there for three
years. he went to Illinois and engaged
in teaching for . short time before he
entered the law department of the Uni.
versity of Michigan, graduating with
the class Of 1855. Shortly thereafter he
located. In Cwosso and entered the law
Office of g. r. Lyon, remaining about
one year. after which he began practice
for himself. in the meanwhile having
secured q wide circle of friends, many
OF whom soon became clients and were
warm friends during their lives, his ad-
vice always being trusted and followed
by them. In the practice of law he
was safe counsellor and in q short
time had built mp large practice in
which his sound judgment played an
important part so long as he continued
in the profession.
In 1869 Mr.. Fitzpatrick was appointed
city attorney; In 1873 was elected super
visor. at.large of the city In 1875 he was
chosen mayor OF the city, declining to
accept second term the following
year. In 1875 he was again elected
supervisor -st-lsrge and in the fall Of the
same. .yesr-waa elected prosecuting at
torney ofthe county and re- reflected in
1878, resigning In 1880 to run for State
Senator in the Shiswassee- Livingston
district ard was elected and after two
years service was reelected, his course
In the eenate having met the general
approval Of the people of the district.
Always staunch Republican and
great worker In the party ranks, he
was frequently honored by being called
to positions Of leadership being repeat.
edly named as chairman of the county
committees and for several years was
member of the State central committees. }
Iu all these positions and as member
of the last State constitutional conven-
tion, Mr.. Fitzpatrick discharged his
duties with great credit and honor to
himself and constituents. For num-
Der of years he was elected member of
the board Of education of the city and
for several years was president Of the
board, rendering almost invaluable SER
vice for our schools. In 1881. he entered
the banking firm of M. l.. Stewart 81
Co. Later he became director of the
o yosso Savings Bank, serving for a
long time, resigning upon removing
from the city. Here too his services
were highly appreciated. Mr.. Kilpat.
rick was one of the solid citizens z
Owosso for many years, man of con-
ssrvative judgment, quiet, dlgnified and
respected as such. He played an i'm.
portant part in the progress of the city
and county. n.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick was married three
times. his first wife being Mary Will
Jams, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. b. O.
w hAioAho, VhO uiou duoub one wear
after their marriage in 1869. In 1874
he was united in marriage with Emme.
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. A. l.. will.
Jams, who died in 1880, leaving three
children, William d. Fitzpatrick. now a
resident of Detroit. Mrs. r. Il. Kiteley.
of Longmont, Colorado, and Mrs. r. J.
Tick. of Detroit. In 1897, he Yves mar.
ried to Mana N Needles, of Columbus
Ohio. who had previously been an in,
structor in the Owosso high school.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick and two daughters.
Katharine and Mana, aud the children
above mentioned, survive him, and
to them the people of Owosso who long
had known and respected Mr. Kilpat.
rick. tender their sympathy.
On receipt of the news of his death.
the Shiawassee County Bar Association
appointed committee to draft suirabls
resolutions and the members will act "a
An Qacorf IN fha fnoo~al 49, -,