David Flack

FLACK, LEONARD, HARRIS, HUNTER, HALL, JONES

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/24/2009 at 17:12:56

DAVID FLACK, deceased, was a pioneer of Louisa County, Iowa, of April 1839, and was numbered among her most honored citizens. He was born near the site of the present city of Columbus, Ohio, in 1801. and a son of Robert and Nancy (Leonard) Flack, who were natives of Scotland. When David was quite young, his parents removed to Union County, Ind., where he was reared upon a farm. Possessing a retentive memory and being of a naturally inquiring turn of mind, he acquired a good education, but was never permitted to enjoy the privileges of free schools now furnished all over this country. On the 1st of March, 1827, he was united in marriage with Mary Harris, and to them were born four children: Sophia J., who died at the age of eighteen years; William L., who was born Aug. 25,1829, is now a farmer of Columbus City Township; James M., who enlisted as a soldier in Company C, llth Iowa Infantry, participated in all the battles of his regiment until after the battle of Atlanta, where he was mortally wounded, his death occurring fourteen days later; Mary C., the youngest child, is now the wife of C. C. Hunter, a resident of Columbus City Township. The mother of these children died Dec. 22, 1833. Mr. Flack was again married Jan. 20, 1835, becoming the husband of Mary Hall, and by their union one child was born, Robert F. M., who is also a farmer of Columbus City Township. The death of Mr. Flack occurred March 23, 1878, his wife surviving him until July 28, 1886, when she too departed this life.

David Flack was one of the prominent citizens of Louisa County, Iowa. He always took an active part in promoting the interests of the community, aided greatly in its upbuilding, and was a friend to all educational institutions. In early life he was a Whig, but at the dissolution of that party joined the Republican party, and continued one of its firm supporters until his death. He owned a fine farm of 200 acres, which he accumulated through his own efforts. He witnessed many great changes in the county, which transformed it from a wild prairie into a land of fertility and fruitfulness, and was an active participant in the grand work.

William L. Flack was born in Union County, Ind., in 1829, and is a son of David and Mary (Harris) Flack. With his parents he came to Louisa County in 1839, and was here reared upon a farm. Learning the art of photography, he engaged in that line of work for two years at Columbus City. His education was acquired with great difficulty, having to walk three and a half miles to school on crutches, but with that energy that characterizes his every action he determined to secure an education, and is now one of the well-informed men of the county.

On the llth of December, 1879, Mr. Flack led to the marriage altar Miss Ruth Jones, a native of Muscatine County, Iowa, and a daughter of Hugh and Sarah Jones, the former a native of Wales. By their union three children were born: David and John, who are at home; and Sarah L., who is living with her grandmother. On the 12th of April, 1888, Mr. Flack was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died at the age of thirty-two years. She was a devoted member of the Reform Church, a loving wife and tender mother, and her death proved a sad loss not only to the community but to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. For twelve years previous to his marriage Mr. Flack was engaged in buying and selling stock. He is now a general farmer, and in connection with his brother owns 368 acres of land. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and has served as Township Assessor for three terms. He is well known and universally respected throughout the county, where he is numbered among the most worthy citizens.
Source: Portraits and Biographies copyrighted by Chapman Bros. 1885