WILLIAM R. FLANNIGAN & CO.

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 696-697.

          David O. Flannigan emigrated to near Charlotte, N. C. from Kings County, Ireland, prior to our war for independence.  He was the father of ten sons and one daughter.  David O., together with seven of his sons, participated in the Revolutionary war, and was himself seriously wounded by a gun shot at the hands of a Tory.  Samuel E. Flannigan, twin brother of David O. Fannigan, Jr., intermarried with Nancy Sharp, only daughter of Col. Richaard Sharp, an exile from Ireland, immigrated to Illinois in 1818, and settled in Flannigan Precinct, Hamilton County.  The precinct, now township, is named Flannigan in his honor.  James W. Flannigan, his eldest son, intermarried with Sarah Cantrell, to whom was born Jane, who intermarried with Capt. M. Fittz; Constance,  intermarried with Capt. J. H. Hogan; Samuel E., by profession a lawyer; Sarah M., intermarried with Dr. Thomas D. Ray; Richard C., miller and merchant; James W., farmer and William R., the subject of this sketch.  Samuel E., the grandsire, was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans.  James W. Flannigan, his eldest son, was engaged in the Black Hawk war in 1832, in the Mexican war, and also a first lieutenant in Company C, Fifty-sixth Illinois, in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion.  He was appointed by Gov. Yates as enrolling officer for Hamilton County, Ill., under the conscription act of 1864.  Our subject was born June 1, 1851, and March 30, 1871, married Mary J., daughter of Josephus and Margrett (Minor) Davis, a native of Hamilton County.  Their two children are Joseph Wallace and William R., Jr.  The subject of our sketch has been engaged in farming, milling and merchandising since his marriage.  In 1885 he and his brother, R. C., have been engaged in general merchandising and the tobacco trade.  From 1882 he served four years as justice of the peace, giving universal satisfaction.  In 1887 he was elected supervisor.  He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.  Politically, a Republican, having cast his first vote for Grant.  Robert C. was born June 7, 1844, in Flannigan Precinct, and June 29, 1863, married Eliza M., daughter of Rev. J.T.F and Phebe Lewis.  Two of their four children are living: John M. and Robert F.  May 14, 1871, his wife died, and in September he married Elsuda, daughter of Reese D. and Nancy Roberts, a native of Twigg Precinct.  Two of three children by this union are living: Eliza M. and Reese D.  In December, 1863, he enlisted as a corporal in Company F, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and was in a twenty-six days fight in Alabama, then at Nashville, and back to the Tennessee River in all the engagements of his company.  After the was he returned home, resumed farming and stock raising until 1880, when he began milling at Walpole, Ill.  In 1886 he entered his present business, which has been successful.  He is a Republican, voting first for Grant.  He is Past Worshipful Master of the F. & A. M. and Nobel Grand of the I.O.O.F.  He is also a member of the F.M.B.A and of the Christian Church.