The following biography of Dr. William G.D. Flanagan is take from History of Kentucky by William 
Elsey Connelley and E. Merton Coulter, American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1922. 
Based on my understanding of copyright, I believe this entire work to be in the public domain, 
as it was published prior to 1978 and more than 75 years ago. I also feel that the biography 
excerpted below from pages 436-437 falls within the scope of fair use. For a good discussion of 
copyright issues, see http://www.benedict.com (The Copyright Website)
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William G.D. Flanagan, M. D.

Russell County has some of the most reputable and skilled physicians of this part of the state, 
men whose lives have been devoted to their professional work, and who stand deservedly high in 
public esteem, and of them none is more worthy of mention than Dr. William G. D. Flanagan of 
Jamestown. He is a native son of the county, having been born here October 7, 1865. His father, 
Wesley Flanagan, and his grandfather, Bryant Flanagan, were also born in Russell County, but his 
great-grandfather, John Flanagan, was born in North Carolina, from whence he came to Russell 
County, and here he died after having been a farmer of this locality for many years. The 
Flanagan family is one of the old-established ones of the country, the emigrant of the name 
having come here from Ireland during colonial days. Bryant Flanagan was a farmer of Russell 
County, where he spent his whole life, and here he died, as did his wife, Mrs. Millie (French) 
Flanagan, who was also a native of the county.

Wesley Flanagan was born in 1828 and died in 1897, having spent all of his life in his native 
county, with the exception of one year he lived in Iowa. In his younger life he was a farmer, 
but for twenty years he served as pension attorney of Russell County, and then, in 1893, he 
retired. He was a republican, but not active in politics. As a member of the Christian Church, 
he took a deep interest in religious matters. Wesley Flanagan married Elizabeth Catherine 
Bailey, who was born 1833, in Russell County, and died in this county in July 1917. Their 
children were as follows: Margaret, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Sarah C., who 
resides at Ono, Russell County, on her farm, is the widow of Cicero Wilson, formerly a farmer, 
now deceased; Millie, who died at Fort Hill, Russell County, married Rev. C. L. Bradley, a 
clergyman of the United Baptist Church, who died at Cains Store, Pulaski County, Kentucky; 
Winifred, who resides at her farm near the Cumberland River, is the widow of A. F. Bolin, 
formerly a farmer, now deceased; Doctor Flanagan, who was the sixth in order of birth; Mary, who 
married Elmer Hughes, a farmer and former merchant, lives at Ono, Kentucky; and three who died 
in infancy.

Doctor Flanagan was reared on his father's farm and attended the rural schools. He was engaged 
in farming from the time he reached his majority until 1889, and in that year entered the 
medical department of the University of Louisville and spent a year. Leaving that institution, 
he entered the Louisville Medical College, and was graduated therefrom in 1890 with the degree 
of Doctor of Medicine. He took post-graduate courses, and in 1909 took a general course in 
medicine at the Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville. In 1890 he began the practice of his 
profession in Russell County, and in 1897 located at Jamestown, where he has since built up a 
very desirable professional connection. He is the owner of his modern residence and office on 
Jefferson Street. A republican, Doctor Flanagan served as health officer of Russell County for 
six years. He belongs to the Christian Church. Fraternally he is a member of Jamestown Lodge No. 
359, I.O.O.F., while professionally he belongs to the Russell County Medical Society, the 
Kentucky State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Like all loyal Americans 
Doctor Flanagan took and active part in local war work during the World war, was medical 
examiner for the Local Draft Board, and served as secretary of the Board of United States 
Pension Examining Surgeons for the county. He bought bonds and stamps and contributed to all of 
the war organizations to the full extent of his means. He is now designated examiner for the 
United States Compensation Bureau for the enlisted men of the World war of Russell County.

In 1892 Doctor Flanagan married in Wayne County, near Bart, Kentucky, Miss Angie Norfleet, a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Norfleet, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Norfleet was a farmer of 
Wayne County. Doctor and Mrs. Flanagan have no children.
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