Crawford Co., AR - Biographies - R. M. Flinn

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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R. M. Flinn, farmer, was born on Mountain Fork, Crawford Co., Ark., in 
1844, and is the oldest son of Hugh and Martha (Cottrell) Flinn. The 
mother was born in Virginia in 1806. The father was born in Ireland in 
1802, and when [p.1147] young learned the stone-mason's trade. After 
coming to America, in 1837, he worked at his trade several years in 
Arkansas, Indian Nation and Missouri, and finally. in 1841, settled in 
Crawford County, Ark., with Alexander Graham and James Gregg. In 1875 
he removed to Washington County, where he died February 14, 1881. Of 
his children, but two are living: our subject and J. R. Flinn 
(merchant and postmaster. of Evansville). R. N. Flinn received a 
common-school education during his youth, while living under the 
paternal roof. In 1869 he married Sarah Barker, daughter of John and 
Sarah (McFarland) Barker. Mr. Barker was reared in Missouri, where he 
afterward practiced medicine. In 1847 he came to Crawford County, and 
here died the same year; the mother survived him but four years. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Flinn four sons and four daughters have been born. In 
March, 1862, Mr. Flinn enlisted in Company B, Third Missouri Regiment, 
under Capt. Clark. Gen. Sterling Price's regiment, and participated in 
the battles of Elkhorn, Mo., Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, siege of 
Charleston, siege of Petersburg, Va., and others. He was wounded seven 
times: at Elkhorn, through the bowels; at Corinth, in the limb; at 
Grand Gulf, Miss., in the knee; at Vicksburg, had his thigh broken; at 
Charleston, in 1864, had his arm broken; and subsequently his thigh 
was again broken in the same place. He was taken prisoner first at 
Elkhorn, but was soon released; at Corinth he was captured, and taken 
to Alton, Ill., where he was kept until exchanged in 1864, and the 
third time was taken prisoner, and held until paroled at the close of 
the war. He then returned to Crawford County, where he has since lived 
engaged in farming. In politics he is a Democrat.