1800 - unknown
John Fitzgerald was born August 15, 1800, in Glin, County Limerick, Ireland. He enlisted at Morris, IL, in Company H of the 53rd Illinois Infantry as a Private on March 3, 1862. He was discharged for disability on April 10, 1863, at Bolivar, TN. On April 14, 1887, he applied for admission to the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Quincy, IL. His admission paperwork states he was a resident of Morris, Grundy County, IL. Old age and paralysis of his right side were listed as his disabilities for admission. He was admitted April 15, 1887, registered number 207. He was discharged from the Home on Sept 17, 1888. He was a widower and had 13 children living. His son, Michael Fitzgerald was living in Boston, MA; son Derumeyer was living in NY City, NY; James W. did not list a city or state; and daughter Mary Ann Dillon was living in Cortland, NY. It was noted that John Fitzgerald left Morris ca 1886 and had been living in Champaign and Springfield during the last winter. A letter also stated he had been living in Lincoln, Logan County IL. His granddaughter, Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald O'Reilly of Glin, County Limerick, Ireland, wrote to the Home May 19, 1928, seeking information regarding her grandfather who was last seen alive ca 1893. She stated he was shot through the mouth resulting in a speech defect and wounded in both legs causing him to use crutches. She lists his children as deceased by 1928: Mrs. Phelan (Margaret Fitzgerald) of Australia; Mrs. Dillon (Mary Anne Fitzgerald) of Cortland, NY; Michael J. Fitzgerald of Boston, MA or County Limerick.
Please click on the links below to view images of Mr. Fitzgerald's file from the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Quincy, IL. You will need the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files.
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