Flanagan, Owen J.

FLANAGAN, KELLY, DEBRUYN, VAN VARK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 14:38:40

Flanagan, Owen J.

As his name would indicate, Owen J. Flanagan, of Mariposa Township, Jasper County, is of Irish descent, being of the second generation in America. He has the characteristic wit, tact, energy and courage of his race, so many of whom have conferred a great favor upon the various states of the Union, for they have been emigrating to our shores since the early colonial days and have done a great work in pushing forward the car of civilization, taking an active part in public affairs and lending their services when our flag had to be defended. All in all, no more desirable race of people have come to this country than the Irish.

Mr. Flanagan was born in Jasper County, Iowa, September 7, 1875, and he is the son of William and Katherine (Kelly) Flanagan, both natives of Ireland. They spent their earlier years in their native country and immigrated to America, remaining a while in New York City, then coming to Jasper County, Iowa. There were eight children in their family, an equal number of boys and girls, namely: Martin, Owen J. (of this review), William, John, Julia, Maggie, Mary and Anna.

Mr. Flanagan received a good common school education and assisted with the general work about the place. After leaving school he clerked in a general store at Sully, Iowa, for six years, giving entire satisfaction to his employers. He then turned his attention to farming, and in March 1909, located on the farm which he now owns in Mariposa Township, this County, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent and well improved land, where he carries on general farming and stock raising successfully.

Mr. Flanagan was married on December 3, 1902, to Minnie DeBruyn, who was born in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, July 3, 1879 the daughter of Kryn and Mattie (Van Vark) DeBruyn, both natives of Holland, the father born November 7, 1838, and died January 9, 1904, at the age of sixty-five years, six months and two days, the mother having been born April 20, 1848. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan, a daughter, Vernona, born April 9, 1905, and a son, Leo, born January 9, 1908.

Politically, Mr. Flanagan is a Democrat, and religiously a Catholic. Mrs. Flanagan is one of a family of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, namely: Frank, William, Ida, Maggie, Minnie (wife of the subject), Anna, John (deceased), Emma, Jenny, Bertie and Maymie. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1301.