JOHN C. FLINN, a prominent farmer and successful stock raiser of township 17, range 9, section 24, near Ashland, Illinois, was born in Morgan county, this State, August 28, 1842. His parents were Royal and Lovicia (Hall) Flinn, his paternal grandfather having come from Ireland. His father was a native of North Carolina, and when twelve years of age went to Kentucky, from which State he came to Morgan county, Illinois, about 1828. Here he purchased land, which he industriously improved, making it a valuable farm, on which he lived a number of years. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and also in the Mexican war, serving efficiently in both. He died at Prentiss, Morgan county, Illinois, January 27, 1892, in his ninetieth year, his having been a remarkably active career, of unusual longevity. The devoted wife and mother still survives at the old homestead, where she is a helpless invalid from rheumatism, being the recipient of the most solicitous care of her children and the deepest regard of a host of friends. This worthy couple were the parents of six sons and four daughters, four of the former now deceased. Those surviving are: Francis M., now living in Prentiss, Morgan county, this State; Thomas, a resident of Waverly, in the same county; and the four sisters, three of whom live in Morgan county, and one in Macoupin county, Illinois, all being married and having families. Two sons by a former marriage of the father still survive, one son having died.

The subject of this sketch attended the subscription schools of Morgan county, and was reared to farm life. At the age of sixteen years he went to southwestern Missouri, where he followed agricultural pursuits, returning to Morgan county in 1862. It was while in Missouri in the early part of the war that he was importuned to unite his fortunes with the Southern cause, but declined to do so, and returned to the North to avoid conscription. Since then he has continued farming pursuits in Morgan and Cass counties, having resided on his present place for nine years. This farm contains 170 acres of choice land, which is principally devoted to grain, besides which some very fine stock is raised. By good management and energy this farm has been very profitable, and he has accumulated a handsome competence.

Mr. Flinn was married in southwestern Missouri, to Miss Hannah Willis, an intelligent lady, and a native of Kentucky, in which State her parents were also born, who emigrated to Missouri when their daughter was a child. To this union have been born ten children, three sons and seven daughters: Ophelia, the oldest, married J. J. Higginson, a prominent merchant of Philadelphia, Illinois; Annie is the wife of L. P. Fisher, a farmer, near Jacksonville, this State; Luella and Alice are teachers in the public schools of this county; Jennie, Oscar, Frank, Lella and Stella (twins), and Earle. The twin daughters, now budding into beautiful womanhood, are so near alike that it puzzles their acquaintances to distinguish them. All except those who are married are under the parental roof, and each and every one of them is intelligent and progressive, and being altogether a most interesting family, whom it is a pleasure to meet. All of the young people are interested in educational work. The son, Frank, has in view a course in the Gem City Commercial College for the coming winter, while the young ladies who are not already teachers are fitting themselves to become such. Numerous good books and periodicals are taken and read with avidity, and fully appreciated by their keen intellects. Whatever disappointments may be in store for Mr. Flinn in agricultural pursuits and pecuniary matters, will be amply compensated for by the charming family with which he is surrounded.

Mr. Flinn is Democratic in his political affiliations and takes a deep interest in all public affairs of importance.

Mrs. Flinn and five of the daughters are members of the Christian Church, to which they render much assistance.

Whatever gifts Dame Fortune has bestowed upon Mr. Flinn have not been voluntarily given, but have been wrested from her by perseverance and honest toil, and he richly deserves his present prosperity and happiness.