For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 116
MICHAEL FRANCIS CRONIN. Michael Francis Cronin, county superintendent of schools of Muscatine county, was born in Parnell, Iowa, May 11, 1887, and is one of the nine children of Cornelius and Ellen ( Flanagan ) Cronin. The name indicates the Irish ancestry of the family. The grandfather was born on the Emerald isle and died there when nearly eighty years of age. The maternal grandfather of Professor Cronin was Patrick Flanagan, also a native of Ireland, who on coming to America settled in New Jersey, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He wedded Mrs. Mary Flanagan, a widow with one son Patrick J. Flanagan, at present residing in Bayonne, New Jersey. Following the Civil war they removed westward, settling in Iowa county, Iowa, where he again took up farm work.They made their home in the vicinity of Parnell until about 1890 and then took up their abode in that town, where Mr. Flanagan lived retired until his death, which occurred when he was about eighty years of age. His widow survived him for some years and passed away in Davenport when about eighty-six years of age. They had a large family, including Ellen, Ann. Sarah, Essie, Kate, Winifred and Elizabeth.The birth of Cornelius Cronin occurred in County Cork, Ireland, where he remained until nineteen years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling at Lytle City, Iowa, where he followed railroading for some time. He afterward turned his attention to merchandising, conducting a grocery and feed store, and subsequently went to Parnell, becoming section foreman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. There he made his home until 1893, when he removed to Conroy, Iowa, where he also acted as section foreman. He next located at Wilton, in Muscatine county, in 1895, and has since made his home in that place. He wedded Ellen Flanagan, a native of New Jersey. They are both members of the Catholic church and in that faith they reared their family of nine children, namely; John and William, deceased; Michael F., May E., Emmet J., Elizabeth M., Winifred, Celeste G., and Mabel C.
Professor Cronin, whose name introduces this record, was a little child of five summers when his parents removed from Parnell to Conroy, and during the period of their residence there he acquired his preliminary education. He was eight years of age when he removed with the family to Wilton, and there he continued his education in the public schools until he graduated from the high school with the class of 1905. During much of this time he provided for his own support, being employed during vacation periods and also at times in the hours when school was not in session. Following his graduation he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two and a half years in Wilton and Moscow townships. In the summer of 1908 he attended the State University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and about the same time announced himself as a candidate for the nomination for county superintendent of schools. He was nominated over J. P. Reed and in the fall of that year was elected to the office over F. M. Witter. He entered upon the duties of the position on the 4th of January, 1909, and has given excellent satisfaction by reason of the capable manner in which he has discharged his duties. He was reelected for a second term, November 8, 1910, over S. R. McKee of Conesville. He taught school up to the time of taking the office. He is the youngest county superintendent in the state of Iowa, having been but twenty-one years of age when elected. His ideas concerning education are not only progressive but also practical, and he believes in the careful systematization of the work of the schools so that substantial results may be quickly secured.
In his political views Professor Cronin is a democrat. He is deputy grand knight of Laurent Council, Knights of Columbus; and is a member of Eagle Lodge, No.10, A. O. U. W., and of the Commercial and Muscatine Launch Clubs. He is also second lieutenant of Company C. of the Iowa National Guard. He is a popular young man whose cordiality and geniality have won him favor with all with whom he has come in contact, while his ability is manifest in the capable discharge of the duties of the office which he is now filling.
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