Marshall County KS Archives Biographies.....Flanagan, James L. 1881 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 31, 2007, 12:29 am Author: Emma E. Forter (1917) JAMES L. FLANAGAN. James L. Flanagan, one of the younger and most successful farmers and stockmen of Richland township, Marshall county, was born in McLean county, Illinois, on August 22, 1881, being the son of James and Catherine (Dunn) Flanagan. James Flanagan was born at Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, on February 25, 1852, where he resided until he was seven years of age, when with his parents, Martin and Julia (O'Connell) Flanagan he came to the state of Illinois. The parents established their home near Chenoa, and it was here that the son, James, received his education in the local schools, grew to manhood and was married. Martin and Julia Flanagan were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in 1848, and were married in this country two years later. They were the parents of nine children and were a highly respected people. In 1876 James Flanagan was united in marriage to Catherine Dunn, who was born on September 16, 1855, and was the first white child born in Chenoa township, McLean county, Illinois. She is the daughter of Patrick and Mary (Murray) Dunn. They were natives of Ireland, and after coming to the United States, located in Ohio and then in Illinois, after which they established their home in the Dakotas, about 1853. Some nine years after their marriage, in 1885, James and Catherine Flanagan left their home in Illinois and came to Kansas and settled on their present farm in section 17, Richland township, Marshall county. The tract at that time was undeveloped and unimproved. A house, eighteen by twenty-six feet was erected, and divided into three rooms, and in this the family lived for a number of years. A small stable was built and the land was broken, with three mules that they had brought with them from their home in Illinois. They also brought hedge plants, box-elder seeds and sprigs of cotton wood. These they planted, and today the magnificent trees are evidence of the careful thought of those early pioneers. As they began to prosper, Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan purchased more land, and at the time of the death of Mr. Flanagan on January 10, 1910, they were the owners of nine hundred and sixty acres of splendid land, all of which was well improved. To James and Catherine Flanagan were born the following children: Julia, John, James L., Mary, Martin, Nellie, William and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan were devout members of the Catholic church and were ever active in all the services of the church. Three of their daughters are sisters in parochial schools; Julia is a teacher at the convent at Clyde, Kansas; Mary is at Monett, Missouri, and Nellie is at Concordia, Kansas. John died when he was twenty-one years of age and Martin is the manager of the elevator at Summerfield, and William and Catherine are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan were ever held in the highest regard by the people of their home community. Mr. Flanagan was a most patriotic citizen and a man of high ideals, and was recognized as a progressive farmer and successful stockman. He always took a keen interest in local affairs and had much to do with the growth and prosperity of the township and of the county. He was an independent voter and for two terms he served the township as trustee. His life was a worthy one; he was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and a generous neighbor and friend. His death was mourned by the entire community, for all knew that a good man had gone to his reward. Mrs. Flanagan is still living at the old home and takes much interest in the management of the place. James L. Flanagan was but three years of age when he came with his parents to the farm in Marshall county. Here he was educated in the local schools and in Marysville Normal, and was reared on the home farm, where he now lives and where he as a lad and young man assisted his father with the farm work. He is now operating the place for his mother and is meeting with much success in general farming and stock raising. He is the owner of shares in the Elevator Company at Summerfield and is one of the substantial men of the township. He is a devout member of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Democratic party and takes much interest in local affairs. Additional Comments: Extracted from: History of Marshall County, Kansas: its people, industries, and institutions by Emma E. Forter Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (1917) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/marshall/bios/flanagan508gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb