James was born to Isham Fitzgerald and Lydia McGill Fitzgerald on April 2, 1867, near Ridgely in Platte County, Missouri. He attended school in the NW part of that County.
As a young man, James moved to DeKalb County, Missouri, near the town of Weatherby. In Weatherby, James engaged in several businesses including a grocery store, and (for many years) a feed and produce store.
In 1906, he married Effie Adeline Coulson. Three Daughters were born to this union; Ona Lee (b. 1907, d. 1991), Ruth (b. 1909, d. 1990), Maude (b. 1917, d. 1982).
James served on the Weatherby School Board for some time, during which he was intrumental in the construction of a new auditorium for the school. In recognition, the yearbook of the school for that year was dedicated to him.
In 1924, James was elected to serve as the treasurer of DeKalb County (Missouri). This is a testament to his popularity, as he ran on the Democratic ticket when the county went strongly for the Republican presidental candidate, Calvin Coolidge. He was unable, however, to secure re-election in 1928 because the heartland resented the fact that the Democratic presidental candidate, Al Smith, was a Roman Catholic.
After Effie's death in 1944, James generally lived with his daughter, Ruth; first in Michigan, then in Colorado, where he died in a nursing home in Fort Logan on March 13, 1962.
James is buried beside his wife, Effie, in the Cope and Shambaugh cemetery near Weatherby. Their gravesite is near the South West corner of the cemetary.
As a young man, James moved to DeKalb County, Missouri, near the town of Weatherby. In Weatherby, James engaged in several businesses including a grocery store, and (for many years) a feed and produce store.
In 1906, he married Effie Adeline Coulson. Three Daughters were born to this union; Ona Lee (b. 1907, d. 1991), Ruth (b. 1909, d. 1990), Maude (b. 1917, d. 1982).
James served on the Weatherby School Board for some time, during which he was intrumental in the construction of a new auditorium for the school. In recognition, the yearbook of the school for that year was dedicated to him.
In 1924, James was elected to serve as the treasurer of DeKalb County (Missouri). This is a testament to his popularity, as he ran on the Democratic ticket when the county went strongly for the Republican presidental candidate, Calvin Coolidge. He was unable, however, to secure re-election in 1928 because the heartland resented the fact that the Democratic presidental candidate, Al Smith, was a Roman Catholic.
After Effie's death in 1944, James generally lived with his daughter, Ruth; first in Michigan, then in Colorado, where he died in a nursing home in Fort Logan on March 13, 1962.
James is buried beside his wife, Effie, in the Cope and Shambaugh cemetery near Weatherby. Their gravesite is near the South West corner of the cemetary.
James was born to Isham Fitzgerald and Lydia McGill Fitzgerald on April 2, 1867, near Ridgely in Platte County, Missouri. He attended school in the NW part of that County.
As a young man, James moved to DeKalb County, Missouri, near the town of Weatherby. In Weatherby, James engaged in several businesses including a grocery store, and (for many years) a feed and produce store.
In 1906, he married Effie Adeline Coulson. Three Daughters were born to this union; Ona Lee (b. 1907, d. 1991), Ruth (b. 1909, d. 1990), Maude (b. 1917, d. 1982).
James served on the Weatherby School Board for some time, during which he was intrumental in the construction of a new auditorium for the school. In recognition, the yearbook of the school for that year was dedicated to him.
In 1924, James was elected to serve as the treasurer of DeKalb County (Missouri). This is a testament to his popularity, as he ran on the Democratic ticket when the county went strongly for the Republican presidental candidate, Calvin Coolidge. He was unable, however, to secure re-election in 1928 because the heartland resented the fact that the Democratic presidental candidate, Al Smith, was a Roman Catholic.
After Effie's death in 1944, James generally lived with his daughter, Ruth; first in Michigan, then in Colorado, where he died in a nursing home in Fort Logan on March 13, 1962.
James is buried beside his wife, Effie, in the Cope and Shambaugh cemetery near Weatherby. Their gravesite is near the South West corner of the cemetary.
As a young man, James moved to DeKalb County, Missouri, near the town of Weatherby. In Weatherby, James engaged in several businesses including a grocery store, and (for many years) a feed and produce store.
In 1906, he married Effie Adeline Coulson. Three Daughters were born to this union; Ona Lee (b. 1907, d. 1991), Ruth (b. 1909, d. 1990), Maude (b. 1917, d. 1982).
James served on the Weatherby School Board for some time, during which he was intrumental in the construction of a new auditorium for the school. In recognition, the yearbook of the school for that year was dedicated to him.
In 1924, James was elected to serve as the treasurer of DeKalb County (Missouri). This is a testament to his popularity, as he ran on the Democratic ticket when the county went strongly for the Republican presidental candidate, Calvin Coolidge. He was unable, however, to secure re-election in 1928 because the heartland resented the fact that the Democratic presidental candidate, Al Smith, was a Roman Catholic.
After Effie's death in 1944, James generally lived with his daughter, Ruth; first in Michigan, then in Colorado, where he died in a nursing home in Fort Logan on March 13, 1962.
James is buried beside his wife, Effie, in the Cope and Shambaugh cemetery near Weatherby. Their gravesite is near the South West corner of the cemetary.
Inscription
"May they rest in peace"
