Bio: Thomas Jefferson Flanner, Natchitoches Parish Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** THOMAS JEFFERSON FLANNER Thomas Jefferson Flanner has been a resident of Natchitoches Parish, La., from his birth, which occurred March 27, 1854, and his earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life, especially in the occupation of farming, is well worth the imitation of the rising generation. His father, Dr. T. J. Flanner, whose name was the same as his own, was born at Newbern, N. C., and his mother, whose maiden name was Pauline Roubien, was born in the parish of Natchitoches, La, upon the plantation now occupied by the subject of this sketch. The parents were married in 1850 and had three children as follow: Joseph, Thomas Boyce (deceased) and Thomas Jefferson. The father of these children died in the latter part of 1853, when the foul epidemic of that year was at its height. Dr. Flanner sacrificed his life at his post of duty a few months before the subject of this sketch was born. His widow survives him and makes her home with her youngest son, Thomas Jefferson. The latter spent his early life in his native town of Natchitoches, in the schools of which he received his early education. At the age of eleven he accompanied his mother to New Orleans, where he spent six months in a Jesuit college, after which he entered Springhill College, another Jesuit institution, which he attended one year. At the age of thirteen years he made a pleasure trip to Europe, remaining abroad for some six months, after which he returned to America and entered Georgetown College of the District of Columbia, remaining in the same for one year. He then completed a course in the commercial college of J. G. Lord, of New Orleans, after which he took a course in bookkeeping in Soule Commercial College of the same city. For one year following this he was employed as bookkeeper in a wholesale and retail hat house, and for six months clerked in a crockery establishment, both of New Orleans. He was then in the employ of an exchange broker a short time, after which he engaged in the pursuit of produce broker, continuing thus six months. In 1877 he returned to the parish of Natchitoches and took charge of the Reform plantation, sixteen miles southeast of Natchitoches, which he subsequently purchased and which he occupied and managed ever since. It is situated on both the Breville Bayou and Texas & Pacific Railroad and Cane River and the Natchitoches Railroad, and its improvements are of the best, being one of the most complete in this respect of any plantation on the river, for over $10,000 worth of improvements have been put upon it in the last four years. It is well stocked with the best breeds of horses and cattle, among the former there being some excellent specimens of thoroughbred trotting horses and among the latter some magnificent specimens of the Jersey and Devonshire varieties. Mr. Flanner was married in 1880 to Miss Daisy Sers, who was also born in Natchitoches Parish. They have had five children, as follows; Josephine, Thomas J., Leo, Ricardo and Eugene of whom Thomas J., Leo and Ricardo, are dead. Mr. Flanner is a member of the K. of P. order and the A. L. of H., and in his political views is a conservative Democrat. In 1888 he was offered the nomination by his party for the State Legislature, and although this would have been equivalent to an election, he declined. He is a shrewd, intelligent, broad-minded man who possesses great force of character and much executive ability, and his views on political questions, as well as all the popular topics of the day, are considered sound. He is recognized throughout this section of the State as a man whose opinions are worthy the attention and consideration of all. He is strongly opposed to ring rule and corruption in every form, and by putting forth his greatest efforts against all such he has wielded a powerful influence for good. He is well known throughout this section of the State and the confidence and respect of all citizens are his.