Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah September 20, 2020

The career of James A. Flansburg, freight and ticket agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway at Glidden, presents an interesting illustration of the effect of well applied industry in the accomplishment of a worthy object in life. He has held the position he now fills since 1893 and is known as one of the thoroughly capable agents of the Northwestern Railway system. He was born in Albany, New York, May 22, 1861, being a son of Walter and Mary (Furman) Flansburg, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was reared near Albany, his father being one of the pioneers of that section. Walter Flansburg removed to Illinois in 1846 with his brother James and purchased government land in Stephenson county, two miles from Freeport. On account of illness he sold out and returned to New York, leaving his brother in Illinois. He engaged farming in New York state and also at the shoemaker’s trade until 1866, when he came with his family to Iowa and took up his home in Cedar county, two miles north of Clarence, where he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of good land. He died upon his farm in 1907, at the age of eighty-six, his wife passing away at the age of eighty-four years. They were both members of the Methodist church. They had twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter. The sister was the firstborn and died at the age of five years. The other members of the family were: Wesley, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Oscar, who died at the age of forty-two; Orlando, now living at Clarence; Robert J., of Yale, Iowa; James A., subject of this review; Elmer of Mechanicsville, Iowa; Hiram F., of Springville, Iowa; Garrett V., of Minnesota; Walter, of Mechanicsville; William who died at the age of seventeen; and Ira, who died in infancy. William Flansburg, the paternal grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Albany county, New York, and was a farmer and shoemaker. He lived to the age of ninety-three years and among his children were James, William, Peter, Walter and Jane. Grandfather Furman on the maternal side was also a native of New York and a farmer. Of his children the names of three were Mary, Storm and Robert.

‘ James A. Flansburg came to Iowa with his parents at the age of five years and was reared on his father’s farm in Cedar county. He attended the district schools and also possessed advantages of education at the public schools of Independence, graduating from the Independence high school in 1879. He followed the carpenter’s trade for three years and then, in 1882, became connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railway office at Clarence, continuing one year, after which he went to Baldwin, Jackson county, Iowa, as telegraph operator and agent for the same line. After a short time he was transferred to Onslow, where he continued two years. He was then transferred to Lowden, Iowa, remaining there until 1891. For the past twenty years he has been freight and ticket agent and operator at Glidden. Possessing a gentlemanly address and marked ability in his business, he is unusually efficient and is one of the popular citizens of Glidden.

On the 25th of May, 1882, Mr. Flansburg was married to Miss Genevieve Ferguson, who was born near Clarence and is a daughter of Joseph P. and Persis (Delamater) Ferguson, the father being a native of Indiana. He died at Clarence, at the age of seventy-six years, but the mother is still living at that place. They had seven children, four of whom survive, Mamie, Genevieve, Josie and Joseph P. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flansburg, Dovie Veva and Joseph Earl. Mr. Flansburg is not connected with any religious organization but his wife is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with Haggai Lodge, No. 291, A.F. & A.M. of Glidden, Iowa, and Copestone Chapter, No. 78, R.A.M. of Carroll, Iowa, also holding membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the Homesteaders and the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. Politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party and, although he has not sought public office, has served as member of the council at Lowden and Glidden, also as town clerk at Lowden. He has ever been active and competent in his work, either as a public official or in business affairs, and both he and his wife are highly respected by the entire community.

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