John Flanagan - One Strong Irishman

John Flanagan was one of those characters known by many in Defiance from 1863 until his death in 1921.  Born in Roscommon, Ireland, in 1826, he made his way to Defiance in the midst of the Civil War, purchasing land in Noble Township.  He and his first wife, Maria, also from Ireland, had seven children, as of the 1880 census: Michael, James, John, Frank, Mary, Kate and Charles.

From the 1890 plat map of Noble Township - John Flanagan's 160 3/4 acres in Section 2

After his wife, Maria, died in 1886, John remarried to Sarah Sheehan on June 14, 1895, at St. John Catholic Church in Defiance. It was also  her second marriage and she was about 20 years younger than John.  In 1910, they lived at 937 Holgate Avenue, giving a home also to her widowed daughter, Alice McCarthy, and two grandsons.  By 1920, they were at 937 Warren Street in Defiance and with them were two of John's sons, John and Frank.

Maria Flanagan's obituary in the Defiance Democrat, Feb. 2, 1886

 John Flanagan was often mentioned in connection with the St. Patrick's Day parade in Defiance, but even more so, he thought of himself as exceptionally strong physically for his age.  He started out in Defiance as a blacksmith, wielding a 20 pound sledge, and then became a teamster who helped build the roads of Defiance County.  He worked at that even when he hit 90, putting in his time from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to his account.

At 91, he sent out challenges to any man 90 (giving a year advantage) for a contest of strengths against him.  The contest would consist of a 20 mile walk without a cane, a 1000 yard foot race, a competition of physical labor to be determined by a judge, a broad or high jump, and last, an eating contest.

According to the article entitled, "Uncle John Flannagan Gets Chesty and Issues Challenge," Defiance Democrat, January 8, 1917:

"Fifth, an eating contest, and to forewarn possible competitors of what they would be up against, "Uncle" John recalled tonight that two years ago, when he was 89, he engaged in such a contest, and won by eating eight raw eggs, 12 fried eggs, a half gallon of raw oysters and then stopped before he had finished his meal to ascertain whether the others could catch up.  They didn't and they were younger men."

One Columbus paper reported that Willie Oglesby of Columbus accepted John's challenge, but no evidence could be found that it actually took place.  But John wouldn't give it up and at 94, while visiting Napoleon, issued this challenge:

Defiance Crescent-News, January 22, 1917 (error in his age)

 
 John claimed that he never went to the doctor or took medicine...well, he did admit to a bit of whiskey, when needed.

John Flanagan died on March 22, 1921 and his lengthy obituary told a fantastic story of his life.  
From the Defiance Crescent-News, March 22, 1921:

 "UNCLE JOHN FLANNAGAN CLAIMED BY DEATH TODAY.

Last Thursday for the first time in many years, John Flannagan, 'Uncle John,' as he was affectionately known to hundreds of Defiance people, failed to come down to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

This morning he died at his home at 937 Warren street after an illness of only a few days.  He was 95 years old last Feb. 2.


Several weeks ago, 'Uncle' John went to Chicago for a visit.  The effects of the trip and a severe cold which he contracted last week weakened his physical condition considerably.  Last Saturday he was stricken with broncho-pneumonia and because of his advanced years, little hope has been held for his recovery.

He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Sarah Flannagan, three sons: Charles of Yakima, Wash., Frank of Defiance, and Jack of Cleveland; and one daughter, Mrs. Mary Welsh of Logansport, Ind.  Charles Flannagan is now on his way to Defiance from Yakima, Wash.

Funeral services will be held next Sunday morning, Rev. Fr. Merickel of St. Mary's church officiating.

For many years, Mr. Flannagan has been one of the unique characters of this city.  He was always the personification of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in Defiance.  He would always be seen on that day on the streets attired in a green cap and homespun coat brought from Ireland, and wearing a shamrock sent to him each year especially for the occasion by his friends and relatives who remained on 'the auld sod.'

Came to America in 1850

He came to America in 1850 from Ireland and went to work on the farm of a Methodist preacher near Newark.  He remained in New Jersey as a farm worker for thirteen years and by 1863 had saved enough that he came to Defiance county and purchased 80 acres of land in Noble township.

In those days, 'Uncle' John eked out a living by working in a blacksmith shop in Defiance, in addition to his farm work; and he was also frequently employed as a woodcutter.

In those days, 'Uncle' John gained a wide reputation for his physical prowess.  In the late sixties, it is said that he would frequently cut a cord of wood in the morning and haul it to Defiance in the afternoon.

In 1874, Flannagan, at the age of 48, is said to have entered a seven acre field of wheat, cut it all with a cradle, raked the field and bound 87 dozen sheaves before he left the enclosure.  He worked two solid days and one entire night by the light of the moon.  His meals were carried to him.

Oldest Initiate to Elks

When Mr. Flannagan was 88, he joined the Elks, and thus gained the distinction, according to state records of the order, of being the oldest man ever initiated into that fraternity.

He did not return to Ireland for 40 years after coming to this country.  When he did so, his father and mother did not know him.  His mother thought he was a tramp and refused him a night's lodging.  The son did not disabuse her mind at the time.  His brother took him for the night, without knowledge of the relationship, but the next morning he was refused a meal for fear that he would hang around too long.  Then 'Uncle' John offered to tell his sister-in-law's fortune if she would feed him.  She agreed, and the sister-in-law was surprised at the intimate knowledge the supposed tramp had of her past.  They all had a good laugh back in Ireland when 'Uncle' John revealed his identity.

Issues Famous Challenge

Early in 1917, Mr. Flannagan gained nation-wide distinction through a challenge to outfight, outwork, outrun, outeat or outwalk any nonagenarian in the United States or the world.  At his time, he received many letters from notables throughout Ohio and the nation.  One of these came from ex-Gov. James M. Cox as follows:

"Mr. John Flannagan

Defiance, Ohio

My dear Mr. Flannagan:

My attention has just been called to your challenge to outfight, outwork, outrun, outeat or outwalk any man of your age in the United States or in the world.   I remember you as one of the halest and staunchest Irish Democrats in the state, and it delights me greatly that at ninety years of age, you can work every day and have the spirit of youth which would cause you to extend such a broad challenge, and issue it so widely.

I desire to extend my best wishes, with the hope that you may see many more years of usefulness, and that with God's will, the spirit of youth may continue in you.

Very sincerely yours, James M. Cox

The spirit of youth to which Mr. Cox refers in this letter and which was one of the outstanding characteristics of Mr. Flannagan's life was manifested until the very end.

Friends who went to his bedside during his last illness were told by 'Uncle' John that he would 'get up in a little bit,' and he apparently was convinced himself that he would soon regain his wonted vigor.  

Unselfishness and a spirit of service were two of the most notable traits of John Flannagan's life.  A neighbor tells the story of a worthy family in which a small baby needed better provision for its food.  Mr. Flannagan offered to sell a cow to the baby's father and the offer was accepted.  The purchaser gave a note in payment, but when the note was due, had no more money than at the start of the transaction.  Whereupon 'Uncle' John gave him a receipt for the entire amount, and let him keep the cow.

Countless acts of this kind can be retold by the people who have known him all his life.  His going away has taken from Defiance not only one of its oldest inhabitants, but a man who will always be remembered for his charity, his thoughtfulness of others and the good cheer which he dispersed wherever he chanced to go."

Mrs. Sarah Sheehan moved to Cleveland perhaps to live with one of her children and died there on May 14, 1934.  She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, perhaps near John.  His tombstone could not be found.