William S. Fitzgerald

FitzGerald was born in Washington, D.C. He received public education and attended George Washington University, graduating with a Master of Laws degree in 1903. The following year, he moved to Cleveland, was admitted to the Ohio State Bar Association, and began practicing law. In 1911 he was elected as a Republican city councilman for Ward 11, serving two terms. Under Mayor Harry L. Davis, FitzGerald was appointed law director. When Davis resigned in 1920 to campaign for governor, FitzGerald became mayor. In the 1921 mayoral election, FitzGerald was defeated by Frederick Kohler and returned to private practice.

FitzGerald was a bachelor when he became mayor. He married Margaret Chilton Tucker of Chicago, Illinois, on January 14, 1920. He'd met her while on a business trip to Washington, D.C., and courted her whenever he visited the city. Fitzgerald kept his marriage a secret from the public until August 27, 1921. The couple had a son, William Sinton FitzGerald, Jr. The FitzGeralds divorced in 1922. The birth of their son was kept secret from the public until his existence was revealed in the divorce proceedings.[1]

FitzGerald then married Carolina Granger of Cleveland on March 23, 1933.[1]

FitzGerald died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in North Royalton, Ohio, at 5:25 AM on October 3, 1937.[1] His place of burial is not known.

• The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission (Cleveland, Ohio), David D. Van Tassel (Editor), and John J. Grabowski (Editor) ISBN 0-253-33056-4

• William Sinton Fitzgerald entry at The Political Graveyard