West Virginia & It’s People – Flanagan

FLANAGAN — Among the industrious Irish-American citizens now residing in West Virginia may be named the Flanagan family, which was first represented in America in 1798 in the person of William Flanagan, who became the grandfather of James Smith Flanagan, now of Bakerton, West Virginia.

(I) William Flanagan, born in Ireland, Christmas Day, 1786. He became a farmer boy at the age of twelve years or thereabouts sailed for America, and settled eventually in Jefferson county, near Bakerton, in what is now West Virginia. As he grew to manhood he commenced his political life by voting with the Whig party, but subsequently supported the Democratic party. Between the age of forty-five and fifty he was stricken totally blind. He died at about the age of sixty-five years at “Potomac View”, near Bakerton, West Virginia. He married Martha Smith, by whom two children were born: James, of whom further; Rebecca, married Davis M. Daniels, whose four children were as follows: i, Cora, married Adam Moler and had six children: Fontrose, married Bertha Moler, and had two children; Carlton, married Diana Moler, and had four children; Miller, married ——- Tronnel; Maud, married Ray Hendricks, and had one child; Nannie, single; Lucretia, single. ii. Martha, married William Link; issue, nine children: Rebecca, married Josepheus Hough; Sally, married Webb Hendricks, and had two children; Margaret, married William Coffenberger, and had four children; Matt, married James Coffenberger; John, Adam, William, Wesley, Dennis, all unmarried. iii. John, married (first) Mary Elizabeth Daily, and had two children; (second) Ann Arborn. iv. John, died in infancy. Of this family, Cora, the eldest, lives at Bakerton, West Virginia; Martha lives in Duffields, West Virginia; John is deceased. The mother, Rebecca Daniels, died near Bakerton, Jefferson county, this state. The family were of the Presbyterian faith.

(II) James, only son of William and Martha (Smith) Flanagan, was born and reared near Charles Town, Virginia, died at “Potomac View,” near Bakertown, this state, aged about forty years. He attended the public schools. He was by occupation a farmer; politically a Democrat. He married Frances Magdelena Griggs, born near Charles Town, Virginia, daughter of John Griggs, a farmer near Charles Town, where he died aged about sixty years. He married a Miss Clanahan. Mr. and Mrs. James Flanagan had nine children, including the following: 1. Laura Frances, born November 1, 1836; married, December 21, 1854, George William Moler; living issue five children; Newton, married Angeline Shell, issue four children; Frederick, married Mary Engle, issue four children; Daniel Lee, married (first) Grace Daniels, (second) Clara Lickslider, issue by each wife one child; Dudley, married Ida Moler, issue four children; Tanner, single. 2. Martha Elizabeth, born June 8, 1839, died September 29, 1857. 3. Mary C., born February 12, 1842; married, December 18, 1867, John C. Licklider; issue: Fanny, married Walter Gebhart; Willamay, married David Thomas; Mary, married Charles Melvin. 4. William McClanahan, born April 4, 1844. 5. Nanny Rebecca, born February 7, 1846, died September 17, 1846. 6. James Smith, of whom further. 7. John Griggs, born 1849; married (first) E. J. Tamson Krepps, October 26, 1876, (second) Bertha Spickler, June 3, 1897; he had one son by the last marriage. 8. Alice Lee, born August 12, 1852; married McClellan Asbury Hopper; issue: Elizabeth, married Charles Gouken; Charles Flanagan, married Nettie Glassford; James, married Lillie Powell, one child; John Preston, married Ida Powell, one child; William, married Beulah Ruark; Robert, deceased; Frances, single; Laura, single. The mother of the above family died at about seventy years of age near Bakerton; she was a Methodist and her husband a Presbyterian in religious faith.

(III) James Smith, second son of James and Frances M. (Griggs) Flanagan, was born at “Potomac View,” near Bakerton, Virginia, October 16, 1847. He spent his youthful years on his father’s farm, the “Maples,” and attended the public schools of his native county. He is now a farmer, but for thirty or more years was in the limestone business with his brother, John Griggs Flanagan. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He married, September 7, 1870, Ella Caton, born near Bakerton, Jefferson county, West Virginia, daughter of George and Margaret (Freese) Caton. Her father was a farmer who died at the age of about sixty years. They were the parents of the following children: Ella, (Mrs. Flanagan), John William, married Emma Moler, six children; Ida, married Arthur Moler, four children; Nannie, married Jack Hoffman, five children; Cora, married Richard Dailey, four children; Walter, married Carrie Stayley, four children. The mother of these children, Margaret Caton, died at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. James Smith Flanagan are the parents of nine children as follows: 1. Martha, unmarried. 2. Maggie, married Thomas Welch; two children. 3. Almy, married Raleigh Moler; seven children. 4. William, married Florence Knode. 5. Walter, married Daisy Jones; one child. 6. Essie, married William Bowman; three children. 7. Alva, married Delia Powell; two children. 8. John, married Ruth Moler; one child. 9. Oscar, unmarried.