W. Elmore Fitzpatrick, a prosperous business man of Whiteland, is a native of Clark Township, this county, born December 27, 1854, and is the son of Salem D. and Mary E. (Shaffer) Fitzpatrick; the former of whom was born in Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Ky., and the latter was born in Franklin township, this county. His boyhood was spent on a farm, and he received in the district schools a knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. At fifteen years of age he became engaged in the produce business, having entered the employ of his cousin, R. S. Fitzpatrick. For him he traveled on a salary for a period of nearly ten years, through the States of Indiana and Illinois. The nature of his work was to purchase large quantities of produce for the New York City market. The trips he made to this city were very frequent, making sometimes as many as forty in one year. He became the partner of R. S. Fitzpatrick in 1881, and continued in that business with headquarters at Indianapolis until the year 1884. In September of that year he opened up a general store at Whiteland, this county, which he has conducted ever since. His store is well stocked, and he is in the enjoyment of a liberal trade. Mr. Fitzpatrick was married November 25, 1879, to Mary A. Carson. She was born in Pleasant Township, this county, December 23, 1858, and was the daughter of Daniel C. and Mary J. (Graham) Carson. She died January 24, 1881, and on the 31st of May, 1883, Mr. Fitzpatrick was married at Indianapolis, to Mrs. Laura L. Smith. She was born in Sugar Creek Township, Shelby County, this state, July 7, 1855, and was the daughter of Henry and Margaret E. (McPherson) Gird. She was married to William O. Smith, October 16, 1873. The first marriage of Mr. Fitzpatrick resulted in the birth of one child, a son, who died unnamed. The first marriage of Mrs. Fitzpatrick resulted in the birth of one child, Bertrand Lee Smith, born December 19, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, and son, Bertrand, are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, our subject is an uncompromising republican. He is a successful business man, and he and wife are very highly respected.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 790.