Biography of J.C. Flynn, Saline Co, AR

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        Date: 25 May 2002
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SOURCE: Goodspeed's History of Saline County

Capt. J.C. Flynn, one of the principal lumber dealers in Saline County, and a
manufacturer of yellow pine, oak, ash, gum and hickory timber, the first named
being a specialty, was born in New York in 1833, and is a son of Henry and
Ellen (Colbert) Flynn, natives of Ireland.  They came to the United States in
1830, and resided in New York State, until their removal to Washtenaw County,
Mich., where the father died, when J.C. was sixteen years old.  Three years
later the family moved to Ludington, Mich., where the mother died in 1885, a
member of the Catholic Church.  J.C. Flynn, the third of seven children born to
his parents, received a limited education in his youth, his only instructors
being his older sisters.  When sixteen years old he commenced in life for
himself and farmed for a short time but later he sailed on the great lakes, his
principal run being Chicago to Buffalo, N.Y.  For tow years he acted in the
capacity of mate, and the last years of his sailing life were passed as
captain.  His brother, in the meantime was managing the farm in Michigan.  In
1858 J.C. went to Texas, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1860,
then coming to Clark County, Ark.  When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in
Company B, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry, as a private, but after three months'
service he was made a corporal, and later on promoted to sergeant-major of the
regiment, taking part in the battles at Belmont, Island No. 10 and Fort Pillow.
He was then furloughed for sixty days, and sent to Arkansas in charge of the
sick and wounded of his regiment.  When about to return to his command he was
ordered by Gen. Hindman to organize, which he did, and was made captain of
Company H. Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry, and remained in that capacity until
the close of the war, taking part in the fights at Prairie Grove, near
Vicksburg, Little Rock, Mansfield, La., Pleasant Hill, La., Jenkins' Ferry, and
a great number of skirmishes.  He was wounded several times, and at Jenkins'
Ferry was captured and taken to Johnson's Island, where he was confined for
eleven months, but was finally exchanged and rejoined his command at
Shreveport, La., and surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in May, 1865.  After the
war was over he returned to Clark County, Ark., with only five cents in his
pockets, but immediately set to work with an energy that soon brought its
reward. Some time later he was enabled to build a water, flour and corn mill,
which he operated successfully for about two years and then moved to Pulaski
County, and farmed for one year.  Capt. Flynn then entered into business at
Little Rock, and also operated saw-mills in different parts of Pulaski County,
until 1880, when he came to his present place, which was established in 1881,
and is now one of the largest industries in Saline County, the mill having a
capacity of 20,000 feet per day, with a planing mill attached, and employing on
an average of fourteen people.  He also owns four ox teams and one horse team
to haul his logs, and has about 1,100 acres of the best timber land in that
section. Capt. Flynn was married in January, 1867, in Clark County, to Miss
Dusky V., daughter of Henry M. and Virginia Ivy, of Mississippi and Alabama,
respectively, who were among the earliest settlers of Pulaski County, where the
father died about 1878. Four children were born to the Captain and his wife,
three of whom are living, and all having received the best education their
father could obtain for them.  In politics Capt. Flynn is a Democrat, and cast
his first vote for Franklin Pierce.  He was the first sheriff in Mason County,
Mich., and was also justice of the peace in that same county.  In secret
societies he is a member of Pennington Lodge No. 273, A.F.& A.M., at Hensley,
and also belongs to Royal Arch Chapter No. 2, at Little Rock, and Lodge No.
452, Knights of Honor, at the same place.  He is also a member of Quapaw
Council no. 97, Royal Arcanum, at Little Rock.  In all enterprises connected
with his county, which offer to develop and advance its interests, Capt. Flynn
is one of the foremost citizens to give his valuable aid.