John Wesley Fitzgerald

Born in Montpelier, Vermont, he lived in Lyons, New York after his parents died. He went to Sodus Academy in Sodus, New York and was certified a school teacher. He settled in Grand Ledge, Michigan, where he taught school, worked on a farm, and in a hardware store. He helped organized the Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company and a chair factory. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives in 1895-1896 as a Republican. He also served on the Grand Ledge School Board and was postmaster there.[1] He died in Grand Ledge on February 3, 1908.[2]

His son was Frank D. Fitzgerald who served as Governor of Michigan. His grandson was John Warner Fitzgerald who served on the Michigan Supreme Court; his great-grandson was Frank M. Fitzgerald who also served in the Michigan House of Representatives;[3] his great-great-grandson and namesake is John Wesley Fitzgerald, a State Representative in the 102nd Michigan Legislature.[4]