Flora said that Tom passed in '45, but S.S. Death Index has '44?
Had birth date as 17 Mar 1865, and brother Philip's as 14 Mar 1867, but Philips tombstone reads 14 Mar 1865. Were they twins? both born on 14th? 17th?
Marriage announcement, Crossville Chronicle, 15 May 1890:
Married: Flynn-Brown. At the home of the bride's father, in Glen Alice,
Tuesday, May 6, Thomas Flynn, of the third district, to Miss Flora Brown.Occupation: Farmer and Surveyor
1900 census in Cumberland Co,TN
1910 census in Buhl, Twin Falls, ID
1920 census in Poplar Groves Twp, Twin Falls, Co, ID with Flora & the 3 youngest children: Claude, Hazel, and Richard.
1930 census in Castleford, Twin Falls, ID Son Clifford and family living with parents.
Flora was born on Independence Day and was named Flora Independence, but at age six, she asked to have it changed to Isabelle, keeping the same initials, and the family bible was duely altered.
Story of my Life, by Flora Belle Brown Flynn (written late 1947)
I was born July 4, 1865 near Crab Orchard, Tennessee. I was one of a large family; I had five brothers and five sisters. I being the middle child. My name way to be Flora Independence, but when I was six years old I rebelled, for I could not bear the middle name "Independence." So the old bible was overhauled and the name "Isabelle" was given me, to my great joy. I've always loved bright colors, and the colors in the flag have always stirred me with emotion.
As I said, I started to rebel at the age of six and soon caught up with my brother Jim, who was two years my senior. This was a great help to the family budget, because now my brother Jim and I could use the same books. School books were very high in price and were handled with care, and were handed down from grade to grade. I never had but one teacher that I didn't love. My first teacher was Mr. William Pass, whom I almost worshipped. When I was in the fourth and fifth grade, my teacher would let me hear the ABC class recite. This made me very proud, but my classmates were jealous.
Our books were: "Webster’s Blue Backed Spellers," "McGuffey’s Readers" from the 1st to the 6th grades, "Reid and Kellogue Grammar," "Barnes History of the United States," Geography, a copy book-and the hardest, study was mental arithmetic and
"Ray's Higher Mathematics." Our first reading lessons were in the spelling book. A short reading lesson right under the spelling, and a little poem that I often memorized. We had Friday afternoon exercises, a spelling match, speeches, and essays by the larger ones.
When I had completed the 8th grade, I attended the Grassy-Cove academy, taught by Professor J.U. Silsby, one of the best instructors I ever had. About fifty attended this year's term, and all were expecting to teach some time. We had our literary society, our class paper and occasionally a square dance. Things were never dull, and a finer bunch of girls and boys I never saw. The first high school in the county was at Melvin Saguatchie Valley. I spent one year at this school, and the studies were really hard, but everyone was trying to reach his goal. They had the best instructors, and no time lost. Next was a six- month normal school that would decide our fitness as a teacher, and it was a happy day when I received my first teaching certificate and first grade assignment.
I secured a county-school at $25.00 per-month, and got board for $1.25 per week. I had a wonderful boarding place: Mrs. Croft was a dear. She did my washing, and I did the dishes from supper. She would fill my dinner pail to the full, and I got an extra big dinner on Sunday, because my boy-friend would be there.
I had many boy-friends, and time never hung heavy. This "certain one" came often, an things were budding into romance, when my brother Sam (Samuel Chase Brown), (Superintendent of Schools) stepped in and objected, he said that this fellow was a Democrat, and that he "tarried too long at the wine," so I called it off, but it was a "green spot in my memory." However, I soon recovered.
I walked two miles to school and back each day. Never worked so hard in my life; it was a large school for a beginner, and I was determined to succeed, and I did. I dreaded for my brother to visit my school, for he was very severe if you failed to measure up to his expectations and ideals, and we never did. I taught eight terms of school. Five before I was married and three after-not eight years, because some of the time I taught two terms a year--one in the early spring by subscription and one in the late Fall and Winter. Many funny things happened, for the teacher was always expected to spend one night with every family. I never had any trouble with patrons, as I always told them what bright children they had. One old fellow wanted to know if I taught that the world was round, but he said he would take my word for it. I never had any trouble with the big boys, and some of them were as old as I, but the girls from 12 to 16 gave me a lot of trouble.
I had just finished my fifth term when Tom came along. This pleased my family as he was a good Republican. We were married May 6th in the "gay nineties" (1890) when whale-bone corsets, high stiff collars, and bustles were the prevailing style, and I fell for them all. We were married in the little village of Glen Alice, where I had taught two terms of school. A.P. Johnson performed the ceremony, and his good wife baked the wedding cake. My sister Emily (Mary Emmaline) was chief cook, and prepared a lovely wedding dinner. Only a few friends and relatives were present, including our old family doctor, Dr. Frasier, whom we had known many years. We were married on Tuesday at 5 p.m., and started next day by horse and buggy to meet my new in-laws. Father and Mother Flynn (Richard Lafayette & Zilpha) met me with open arms, and the love and friendship between us never grew less. Mother Flynn was the finest and best person I ever knew, except my own Mother, who had passed on just six weeks before our marriage. Mother Flynn was our family physician, our ever present help in time of trouble, and my spiritual guide.
In August, following our marriage, I again taught school. I rode 3 1/2 miles on horse back on our nice little saddle pony named Dollie. Tom was very busy on the farm; he was always waiting for me and we were very happy.
The next year our new house went up. We both taught school and hired a man on the farm for $10.00 a month. Wedding presents were not given in those days, except a horse or a cow, and we got both, but our most outstanding present was a red rooster. He was a handsome bird and well along in years. Then we decided that it was not good for the male to be alone, so Tom went in search of hens. He soon returned with six red hens. He got a bargain, six for $1.00. The man was an old friend of the family, a Republican, and of the same faith. We released the rooster from his prison, and soon he and the hens were on the best of terms. Our table was soon graced with fried chicken.
Now the babies came along, and I exchanged my short career for motherhood. Our first-born was a goodly child. We called him Clifford. I had read a novel, and the hero was called Clifford. Grandpa Flynn was disgusted by the name and insisted on John or Bill. The child was unusually bright, and we feared he would never be raised, but he grew and waxed strong, and when we were sure that he would live, we decided to have another. Then White came along, and strong to say he was, and just as bright as his brother. Our next was Violet, then Wesley, Robert, Claude, Hazel, and Dick. They were not too many, but just right. My children were never a burden to me, and our happiest, days were when they were taking their first steps, lisping their first words, and when we discovered the first tooth. This is where I want to linger, for it is about the fondest of my recollections.
Our school terms were short, so we started each child at home with a black board, and each learned to read, make figures, and write a few words. As the children grew older, we decided to find better schools, so we rented the farm and moved town where the schools were much better. About this time, a wealthy old bachelor in Nashville died leaving a large sum of money to the public schools of Tennessee. It was known as the Peabody fund; this put the schools on a firmer foundation. The year was 1902. Tom had taken a. course in civil engineering. He had had some training in land surveying; he loved the work, and often Clifford and White went with him, as chain-carriers, on long trips in the woods.
But in due time we cast our eyes to the Northwest. We wanted to get good land for the boys. We wanted them to be farmers, (but not one was a farmer). In Idaho, in 1906, land was thrown open to settlers for homesteading, so we decided to make a change. Clifford was sent ahead to spy out the land. His reports being good, we sold the farm, disposed of our house in town, and with bag and baggage, struck a beeline for Idaho. Dick was only four weeks old, he was my charge. Tom took care of Hazel, she was nearly four; each one had a duty to do, and they did it well. Things went along smoothly until just as we left Salt Lake City, Claude lost his new hat. He wanted us to go back and find it. We arrived in Buhl October 20, 1909, rented a house for $5.00 a month. The winter was cold. We burned a lot of sage brush, some coal, and came through the winter with flying colors. In the spring, we bought a desert claim of eighty acres. The first year that we farmed was hard. The crops looked promising, but in July we had our first hail storm. Everything was cut to pieces. Out of twenty acres of wheat, we only saved ten sacks of wheat. Everything else was a complete loss, but there was work for everyone, and Tom and the boys worked!
People came in from every state. Ranches were opened up, houses built, schools and churches went up, clubs and societies organized, and the county prospered. Neighbors helped each other and friendship and good will was everywhere.
We soon bought an improved ranch with buildings. We took possession in March, 1912, and farmed this ranch for twenty-four years. Here we had our griefs and joys. I had many dear friends in Idaho. We did well, but sorrow overtook us, and four of our children passed to the great beyond. White, Violet, and Bob left families. Claude was never married. Our children were all married in Idaho. We were growing old, and the ranch was not producing too much, so we decided again to make a change. We sold the ranch and bought a home in Sacramento (about 1936). Clifford, Wesley and Dick were all in Sacramento.
On May 6, 1940, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Our children, grandchildren, and many friends and relatives were present.
On Jan. 8, 1945, Tom passed away. This brought to my mind more real than ever that we had no abiding place on this earth. I have four children still living: Clifford, Wesley, Hazel and Richard. I have twenty-two grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Two grandsons have passed on, Robert (Clifford’s son) and Norman (White’s son), and one granddaughter in infancy (Barbara - Wesley’s 1st born). Hazel and family came to Sacramento in 1942. Now all the children are in California. I am 82 years old the 4th of last July, 1947, have had a full life. Tom and I both joined the Christian Church early in our married life, and were it possible. I’d live it all over again. All that I ask is that I may grow old gracefully, and never be a burden to anyone, that my children may live the Christian life, be ready to help each other at all times, and when the last summons comes, may we all hear the welcome words--- " Well done."
From the Buhl Hearld Oct. 25, 1928:
PIONEER IS TAKENHiram Howard, familiarly known as "Hy" died very suddenly Saturday
evening about five o'clock at his home a mile south of Deep Creek school
house. He was stacking hay and had said to the boys working with him
that they would rake up around the stock and call It a day. They
observed that he fell to the hay as he was about to step on the ladder to
come down from the stack. They climbed up to him and found that his
heart had ceased functioning.
Mr. Howard was born in Missouri In 1869 and when he was nineteen years of
age he was married to Mary Elizabeth Davidson. After two years the young
couple moved to the state of Washington where they lived until 1906 when
the opening of this tract induced them to come to Idaho. They and their
children arrived here before the water was turned into the canals and
more than a year before the railroad was in operation. They helped clear
the sagebrush from the townsite and farm land and he has farmed on the
tract since. Mrs. Howard died In January, 1926, and was buried in Buhl
Cemetery.
The children surviving are Roy Howard, Twin Falls; Oval Howard,
Blackfoot; Ernest Howard, and Mrs. Wesley Flynn, Longview, Washington;
Mrs. Jack Thomson, Lucerne district, Buhl; and Mrs. Lloyd Smith who lives
north of Snake River. All of the children except Oval were present for
the funeral on Wednesday. In 1927 Mr. Howard was married to Mrs. Rowenah
Wilson and she survives him. A large relationship of the Howard family
live in this community, Including seven families of cousins.
Funeral services were held from the Baptist church on Wednesday afternoon
at two o'clock and were largely attended. Rev. Lathrop officiated.
Interment was made beside the mother, Mary Elizabeth, in Buhl cemetery.
Death Cert. #052240 gives d.o.b. as 29 Nov 1869. I had 29 Dec 1869.