House 1957-62 (District 21)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Counties Served:
Scott
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
1/20/1923
Birth Place:
Rochester, Minnesota
Birth County:
Olmsted
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
6/16/2008
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
New Prague
Occupation (when first elected):
Attorney at Law
EDUCATION
Rochester Schools, Minnesota; Elementary School;
Rochester High School; Secondary; Graduate
Michigan State University; Attended College;
Rochester Junior College; Junior College/Community College; Graduate
University of Minnesota; B.S.L.; 1947
University of Minnesota, Law School; LL.B.; 1948
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Soldiers Home Board;
19?? to 19??
Military:
United States Army Air Force (World War II, Fighter Pilot);
1943 to 1945
Municipal Attorney:
New Prague, Minnesota (City Attorney);
1950 to 1955
Judge:
1st Judicial District, Minnesota (He was initially appointed by Governor Karl Rolvaag, then elected in 1964);
05/29/1963 to 01/20/1993
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Mary Alice Mach (married May 5, 1951)
Children:
Six children: Maureen Ann, Erin Therese, Brigid Mary, Sheila Kathleen, and Megan Eileen (daughters); John Moonan Jr. (son)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
John Moonan
- Grandfather
GENERAL NOTES
He was of Irish ancestry.
He moved to New Prague in 1948 when he was 25 years old.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1962 election. He lost to his opponent, Henry J. Morlock by 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount the trial court ruled that Fitzgerald had won by 12 votes. Morlock filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court. After reviewing the contested ballots, Morlock was determined to be the winner by 10 votes.
He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. ("Know Your Minnesota Legislature: Rep.John M. Fitzgerald." Minneapolis Star, Between November 1956-January 1957)
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club.
Religion provided by a Star Tribune article.