Bio of FLANIGAN, John B. (b.1848 d.1915), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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JOHN B. FLANIGAN - Vol II, pg 758-761
John B. Flanigan, who passed away on the 12th of April, 1915, was in the later
years of his life actively engaged in the loan and real estate business in
Minneapolis. He was identified in many ways with the history of the city and
between the ages of twelve and fourteen years collected toll on the first
suspension bridge built across the Mississippi. He was ever actuated by a
progressive spirit and what he undertook he carried forward to successful
completion. A native son of New England, he was born in Hallowell, Maine, July
4, 1848, his parents being James A. and Margaret (Crow) Flanigan, who in the
year 1850 removed westward with their family, settling in Minne­apolis. Mr.
Flanigan then left his family here while he went on an overland trip to
California and there spent the remainder of his days, so far as is known. His
wife was left with four small children, three sons and a daughter, whom the
mother educated, sending them through school, and all attended the University of
Minnesota with the exception of Michael, the eldest, who found it necessary to
start out in the business world and assist in the support of the family. The
others of the household were: John B., of this review; James E., who died in
December, 1921; and Mary, who became a Catholic sister in a convent and died at
the age of twenty-two years.
John B. Flanigan left the University of Minnesota at the age of seventeen and
started out in the business world as an apprentice to the marble cutter's trade
in St. Paul, his term of indenture covering three years. He was afterward
engaged in the marble business on his own account in connection with his
brother, Michael, at No. 325 Market avenue in Minneapolis, and there they
conducted their interests success­fully for a number of years, or until about
1877. John B. Flanigan then established a real estate and loan agency, which he
conducted with profit for an extended period, becoming recognized as one of the
foremost loan agents and real estate dealers of the city. He gained a very large
clientage and the capable management of his affairs brought him a most
gratifying measure of success. He acquired large property holdings and at the
time of his death was the owner of much valuable realty in Minneapolis, so that
he was able to leave his family in most comfortable financial circumstances.
In 1873 Mr. Flanigan was married to Miss Annie Gormley, a daughter of Patrick
and Esther (Cleary) Gormley, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they
came to America during their youthful days. They met and were married in New
York city and afterward removed westward to Chicago, where their daughter, Annie
Gormley, was born in 1855. The parents subsequently removed to Minneapolis,
where they spent their remaining days. The father was an engineer and in an
accident lost the use of his arm, rendering him unqualified to follow his trade
for a longer time. He then engaged in the hotel business, with which he was
identified until his death, being located in St. Anthony.
Mr. and Mrs. Flanigan became the parents of eleven children, three of whom died
of diphtheria when quite young, and one son, Charles, died in California on the
4th of May, 1922. Those who survive are: James; Mary, living in San Diego,
California; Rose, the wife of F. E. Hoffman of Bismarck, North Dakota; John, who
follows farm­ing; Margaret, the wife of L. A. Rollins of Minneapolis; Lester R.,
residing in Cali­fornia; and Monica C, the wife of P. W. Van Doren of San
Francisco, California.
The family has been reared in the faith of the Catholic church, of which Mr.
Flanigan was a consistent member. In politics he was a stanch democrat and an
active worker in party ranks, but though often solicited to become a candidate
for office always refused. He did valuable service for his city in many ways,
however, and was always identified with any progressive public movement. He
served as a member of the first volunteer fire department of Minneapolis and he
gave his aid to many projects which looked to the betterment of the city and to
the advancement of its civic standards. He was a liberal contributor to charity
and there are many who have reason to bless his memory for his generous
benefactions. He was noted for his honesty and square dealing at all times and
never did he sacrifice his business integrity to gain. His word was always to be
relied upon and his success was won by the most honorable methods.