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1907 Past and Present Biographies

John A. Flanagan

John A. Flanagan, who owns and operates a valuable farm of three hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Dawson township. was born in Momence, Illinois, November 13, 1868. His father, John Flanagan, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in May, 1838, and there resided until he had attained the age of twenty-four years. He then decided to emigrate to the United States and immediately after landing on the shores of the new world he began working as a farm hand by the month in Rensselaer county, New York. On the expiration of a year, however, he removed to Kankakee county, Illinois, and was there also employed at farm labor until he had saved enough money with which to purchase a team and tools, so that he might begin farming on his own account.

In 1877 the father came to Greene county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the operation of rented land for twelve years, on the expiration of which period he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, where his son, John A., now resides. At a later period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Dawson township, on which he yet makes his home. The farm is highly improved in every particular and stands as a monument to the labor and enterprise of its owner. He has put one thousand dollars’ worth of tiling on the place and in fact has himself made all of the improvements on the farm, making it one of the model and attractive properties of the county. He has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and is now numbered among the prosperous, self-made men of this section of the state.

In the year 1866, in Kankakee county, Illinois. Mr, Flanagan was united in marriage to Delia Hanaghan, also a native of County Mayo, Ireland, where she was born in 1844. This worthy couple are the parents of the following children: Thomas, who is employed by the Milwaukee Railroad as telegraph operator and station agent at Northland, Michigan; John A., of this review; Mary, the wife of Barney Burke, of Douglas county, Washington; Catherine, who became the wife of John Conners and resides in Highland township; Margaret, who is employed as a stenographer at Des Moines; Nora, at home; and Michael, who died at the age of two years.

In his political views Mr. Flanagan is independent, voting for men rather than party and always giving his support to the candidate whom he thinks best qualified for the position. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, and he is known throughout the community as an enteprising citizen, well posted on matters of general interest, and as one whose aid may be counted upon to further any movement or measure for the public good.

John A. Flanagan of this review was a lad of seven years when his parents removed to the farm and acquired his education in the common schools of Greene county. He remained under‘ the parental roof until he had attained the age of thirty years and then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land of his father. He immediately began to improve and cultivate this tract and has added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of fine farm land. He has erected a good house, barn and other buildings on his place and it is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. The air of neatness and thrift which pervades the property is indicative of the careful supervision and progressive methods of our subject and he is classed among the representative agriculturists of Greene county.

On the 25th of January, 1899, John A. Flanagan was joined in wedlock to Miss Alice Phelan, a native of Braidwood, Illinois, and a daughter of Martin and Margaret Phelan, both now deceased, but for many years residents of Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan are the parents of one child, John Joseph.

In his political views Mr. Flanagan is a democrat where national issues are involved, but at local elections votes for the best man regardless of party ties. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church and are recognized throughout the entire community as people of genuine personal worth, who have gained many frignds by reason of the possession of those traits of character which in every land and clime command respect and admiration.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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