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Here is a biography of John Fitzsimons of Longford, Ireland and Butler County, Nebraska copied from the Internet. It is taken from Part II, Compendium of Local Biography of "Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography, Containing a Compendium of Local Biography Including Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens of Butler, Polk, Seward, York and Fillmore Counties, Nebraska [etc.]" Publishers George A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899.
JOHN FITZSIMONS.--"Excellence encourages all life in general," says that thoughtful observer, George Eliot. This saying is true even in the case of that careful discharge of duty which leads to well-doing in worldly enterprises, but the life which reveals religious ardor and suggests the uplifting force of consecrated purpose does indeed demonstrate to humanity new and lofty possibilities. The life of Mr. Fitzsimons is a constant source of inspiration to those who see his zealous work in advancing the cause of religion as a local minister of the Methodist church. Since the spring of 1869 he has made his home on section 24, Bone Creek township, Butler county, and has since been prominently identified with the material as well as the moral development of this region.
Mr. Fitzsimons was born on the 14th of August, 1825, in county Longford, Ireland, and is the oldest child in the family of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pope) Fitzsimons. In his native land he was reared and educated, remaining there until he attained his majority. It was in 1847 that he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, and took up his residence in Muscatine, Iowa, where he was engaged in merchandising for several years. Owing to failing health he was forced to abandon that business and decided to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits. Through a friend, James McBride, who had come to Nebraska, two years before Mr. Fitzsimons learned of Butler county, and being favorably impressed with the account he had received, he removed here in the spring of 1869. The Indians at that time were quite troublesome, but they took kindly to the family of our subject. His first home in Butler county was a rude dug-out, where he lived in true pioneer style, experiencing all the hardships incident to life on the frontier.
On the 3d of May, 1859, Mr. Fitzsimons was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Moss, a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, and a daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth (Stevens) Moss. The father was born in Massachusetts, of German ancestry, while the mother was born in Nova Scotia, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was a wealthy farmer and also a local preacher, who was widely and favorably known in Muscatine, Iowa, and vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimons have a family of six children: Thomas Emmet; Dr. Albert Pope, now assistant surgeon of Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry; Dr. Samuel V., now acting hospital steward in regular United States service at Jacksonville, Florida; Orlando; Jessie M. and George A. The parents were members of the first Methodist church established in Butler county, it being organized by S. V. Van Duser in the winter of 1869, and have always taken a leading and active part in all church and benevolent work, Mr. Fitzsimons having served as a local preacher for several years. Their lives have been characterized by deeds of kindness, and their sterling worth and many excellencies of character have been justly appreciated by their many friends.
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