Ventura County Biographies

Michael Flynn

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Michael Flynn, one of the prominent and progressive ranchers of Springville, 
Ventura County, was born in the west of Ireland, October 13, 1858, his parents, 
David and Ellen Flynn, also being natives of that country. In 1875, Mr. Flynn 
came to America and worked for one year in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 1876 
came to San Francisco and engaged in teaming in the city two years. He then came 
to Ventura County and engaged in farming and sheep-raising, following that 
business five years, a part of the time in partnership with his brother-in-law. 
He bought out his partner's interest and continued the business alone for 
awhile. In 1885, the country becoming developed and much of the land being used 
for farming purposes, Mr. Flynn closed out this business and turned his 
attention to speculating in grain at San Francisco. A year later he removed to 
Los Angeles, and in October, 1886, came to his present location in Ventura 
County. He purchased 142 acres of land, on which he has since resided, and which 
he has improved by erecting a good dwelling-house and suitable out-buildings, 
surrounded by well-kept grounds. He has planted a quantity of walnut trees, and 
is going into that business quite largely. His present principal crop is beans 
and corn. Mr. Flynn is also engaged in raising horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, 
in partnership with Mr. Paulin, having some very fine specimens of horses. They 
are devoting about 800 acres of land to wheat and barley, and employ eight men 
and six teams.
    Mr. Flynn was married in 1878 to Miss Lavelle, who was born near his own 
native place, her parents being Irish people. They have a family of six 
children, all born in Ventura County, viz.: David E., Robert E., Mary Grace, 
Albert E., Clarence E., and Sarah Clara. Mr. Flynn is a Democrat. He and his 
family are worthy members of the Catholic Church.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 410