James J. Fitzgerald

Born: 1854

Died: 1924

James J. Fitzgerald owned and, with his wife, Sarah L. Merrill, ran Ridgewood Villa on the Harrietstown Road.

He was born in Black Brook. He is buried in the Harrietstown Cemetery.

Malone Farmer, May 14, 1924

PROMINENT ADIRONDACKER.

James J. Fitzgerald. Well-Known Citizen of Harrietstown and a Leader in the Grange Expired Suddenly Saturday Noon.

While reading a morning newspaper at his home in Harrietstown Saturday noon, James J. Fitzgerald, one of the best-known citizens of the Adirondacks, suddenly relaxed and died instantly of heart failure. Death was without warning, for he had been in his usual health and was enjoying his reading when the fatal summons came.

Mr. Fitzgerald was a man of much intelligence and force of character. All his life he had worked for the best interests of his locality and its progress. Formerly he was one of the leading Democrats in the southern part of Franklin county, and in recent, years had been very prominent in the Grange. He was a most kindly man, of high ideals and integrity. Besides conducting a large farm he and his capable wife, formerly Miss Sarah Merrill, of Merrillsville, developed a summer resort on their property, known as Ridgewood Villa and noted for beauty of view and the excellence of its cuisine, which they had operated successfully for over 30 years. Mr. Fitzgerald was noted as a genial and accommodating host and a well-read companion with whom it was a delight to converse. He was long a justice of the peace, did much of the law business of his neighborhood, and was consulted by the inhabitants in business matters. They had great confidence in his fairness and judgment. He held other town offices and was long postmaster of West Harrietstown. ¹

Mr. Fitzgerald was a charter member of Tahawus Lodge, F. & A. M., of AuSable Forks and an active member of the Presbyterian church of Harrietstown. His wife and two maiden sisters, Anna and Elizabeth, of Saratoga Springs, survive him. The funeral was held from the Tuesday afternoon, Rev. W. C. Watson, former pastor of Harrietstown Presbyterian church, officiating, assisted by Rev. G. K. Newell, of Saranac Lake, and Rev. J. Crothers, present pastor of the Harrietstown church. Deceased was 70 years of age.

Footnote:

1. James J. Fitzgerald does not appear to have been a postmaster in Harrietstown in this time period according to the USPS Postmaster Finder.