Mathew Fitzpatrick, a lawyer and leading citizen of Elkader, maes a specialty of abstract and real-estate business. It is now a dozen years since htis gentleman was admitted to the Bar, but up to this time he has not been an active practitioner, other pursuits having occupied his time and attention. He has succeeded in building up a most enviable reputation for ability in his profession and for probity and uprightness of character. In Clayton County he has acquired a large abstract and real-estate business, having the only comlete set of abstract books within its limits.

A native of Ohio, the birth of our subject occurred in the city of Cincinnati, May 11, 1853. He is of Irish descent, his parents, patrick and Catherine (Quinlan) Fitzpatrick, having been reared to maturity in that land. The father, who is now about seventy years of age, is a resident of Cox Creek Township, and is numbered among the founders of the prosperity of this county. In 1855 he became a farmer in Cox Creek Township, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until well along in years, during which time he cultivated and improved a good farm, which he reclaimed from almost a wild state, and upon which he, with his wife, still resides.

When only an infant Mr. Fitzpatrick was brought by his parents to this county and here he grew to manhood. Making the best of his educational opportunities, which were those of the public schools, by private study and industry he constantly increased his knowledge, and was only a youth of seventeen when he passed the examinations and secured a certificate to teach. He at once embarked in that profession, and successfully taught school in this locality for a period of ten years. Being ambitious and desiring to rise, he was not content with this measure of prosperity, and found time during the intervals of his leisure to begin the study of law. Having followed a regular course of study for one year, he then entered the office of W.A. Preston, of this city, and was admitted to the Bar in 1883.

In the same year Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed to the position of Deputy Treasurer of Clayton County, where he successfully performed the functions pertaining to that position, and so greatly to the satisfaction of his constituents that in the fall of 1884 he was elected County Recorder. On the expiration of his term he was re-elected and yet again, holding th eplace for three successive terms, or six years in all. In 1892 our subject began making a specialty of abstracting and the examination of titles, which is a lucrative and growing business in Clayton County, and is succeeding beyond his expectations.

In 1882 our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth Connell, a native of Clayton County, within the limits of which she received her education and grew to womanhood. Her father, Patrick Connell, was one of the pioneers in the locality and took an active part in its development. A family of three daughters and two sons have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, in order as follows: Mary, Mathew, Ellen, Edward and Caroline. They are attending the public schools, and it is their parents' intention to give them the best educational advantages in their power. The family are regular attendants and zealous members of the Catholic Church of this place. In politics Mr. Fitzpatrick votes for the candidates set forth by the Democratic party and is interested in its success. He is a man who numbers many friends in this city and county, both among the brethren of his profession and in the social and business circles of the community in which he makes his home.