Mt. Vernon IL Register (Weekly) - June 5, 1889

In answer to your circular letter I will say I was born July 14, 1843, 
in Horse Prairie, Jefferson County, Ill.  My father, William E. FITZGERRELL, 
died August 14, 1859, on the old homestead.  As the oldest in the family I 
remained at home until August 25, 1861, when I left the plow standing in 
the furrow on that day at 12 o'clock.  The next day at 1 o'clock I was sworn 
into the service of the Union, as Private in Company H., 81st Ill. Vol. Infantry, 
at Anna, Ill., Col. J. J. DOLLINS, of Benton, (my uncle by marriage), commanding.  
During the siege of Vicksburg I was promoted from the ranks to be adjutant of 
the regiment vice Zebedee HAMMACK, of Tamaroa, killed.

I left Mt. Vernon on March 26, 1881, broken down in health and in straightened 
financial circumstances for Las Vegas, New Mexico, direct.  I advertised myself 
as "The Live Real Estate Man" the next day after my arrival and went to work.  
I have done nothing but handle this line of business since making a specialty 
of city property, although, I have done considerable in cattle and ranch property, 
and at present own quite a nice lot of cattle, with ranch improvement lands and 
all the necessary accessories of horses, wagons, saddles, etc.  I have succeeded 
here far beyond my most sanguine expectation and have accumulated a good lot of 
city improved and unimproved property, as well as several thousand acres of outside 
real estate which with constantly increasing value will no doubt in a few years 
make a good competence for myself and family, consisting of a wife and daughter; 
the latter was married some eighteen months ago, but still living with us, the 
change being the addition of a son-in-law and a grandson two months old, in the family.

During the busy years of active active business here I have found time to 
organize the Department of Mexico Grand Army of the Republic, and commanded 
it during the year 1885.  During my administration the monument erected to 
the memorial of Kit Carson, the pioneer pathfinder and soldier, was dedicated 
at Santa Fe, and the same time the graves of nearly 1,000 soldiers in the Military 
Cemetery were decorated.  The custom of decorating the graves of our nation's 
dead was then inaugurated in the Department and has followed each year since 
with increased zeal.  As a member of the National Encampment of the G.A.R., I 
have missed but few of the annual meetings since 1884.  While I have at all 
times voted the straight Republican ticket, I have devoted but little attention 
to politics, except attending a number of Territorial conventions as one of the 
delegates from this (San Migual) county.  During the past four years I have 
served the Territory as a member of the Territorial Bureau of Immigration, as 
a Republican, by appointment of Gov. ROSS, President CLEVELAND's appointee, 
it being a non-political appointment.  The board in this territory is divided 
evenly as possible , politically.

Since coming to this country my family and I have enjoyed the best of health 
as this climate, according to the official records is the healthiest climate 
in the United States.  It is needless to say that I am pleased with New Mexico.  
I think it is the coming country, abounding in greater natural resources than 
any other portion of the United States.  We have a splendid agriculture, 
horticultural and timber country, as well as millions of acres of rich rolling 
prairies.  We have vast fields of coal, both anthracite and bituminous, salt, 
iron, lead, copper, gold, silver and many less valuable minerals.  When the 
"boys" get through booming the Oklahoma country they will then turn their 
attention to New Mexico, where they will have something, sure enough, to boom.  
Let our friends and neighbors come to New Mexico for a home, for health and wealth.

J. J. FITZGERRELL