One Child or Two?

I have a little mystery on my hands. Did Lawrence Flynn have two daughters or only one? I had always believed he had only one child, Mabel Hoskins Flynn. According to an image of the returns of birth for St. Joseph county, Michigan (available at www.familysearch.org) she was born on 24 June 1873. [1]

Here's what I have that suggests that Lawrence and Mary had only one child.

--Mabel is the only child who appeared in the census with her parents (1880, 1894, 1910, 1920). [2,3,4,5] The family was missed in the 1900 census. I've gone page-by-page a couple of times through their enumeration district. Their house number didn't appear.

--In the 1894 and 1910 censuses Lawrence's wife indicated that she only gave birth to one child. [3,4]

--In Lawrence's Civil War pension file one document asks for the names and birth dates of any children he had whether living or dead. The only child listed was Mabel, with the same birth date I have from the birth return. [6]

So, why am I uncertain about the number of children Lawrence and his wife, Mary Olive Hoskins, had? I have but a single piece of data to suggest otherwise. While looking through records at www.kalamazoogenealogy.org, specifically the scanned images from the Kalamazoo Public Library vital records card file, I found a transcribed record that made me pause. It was a baptism card for a Mary Hoskins Flynn, daughter of Laurence [sic] and Mary Flynn. [7] The date of baptism at St. Luke's Episcopal church in Kalamazoo was given as June 28, 1871. [7] 

Postcard from the author's collection.

I've looked for a birth or death record for an infant born to Lawrence Flynn between 1871 and 1880 in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties (at FamilySearch and www.kalamazoogenealogy.org), but so far without success. This in itself doesn't necessarily mean they didn't have another child who died young. Though civil registration began in Michigan in 1867, this information was collected once per year by assessors resulting in many births and deaths not being recorded. See Why Early MichiganBirth Records Are Unreliable for more details.

Another puzzling thing about the baptism card is why the baptism took place at St. Luke's. All evidence I have indicates Lawrence lived in Constantine until after Mabel's birth in 1873. Why would the family trek all the way up to Kalamazoo, which certainly took longer then than now, to baptize their child?

Is it possible that this record doesn't pertain to “my” family? I don't think so. The child's name, Mary Hoskins Flynn, is the largest clue. Hoskins was the maiden name of Lawrence's wife. Also, during the 1870-1920 period the only Lawrence Flynn in the Kalamazoo area was my relative. This is based on census records, city directories and newspaper references.

So, is this record actually evidence of another child or was there a mistake during the transcription of the record? The names are similar (Mary vs. Mabel) as are the month and day (June 28^th for Mary's baptism and June 24^th for Mabel's birth). The years are also close. Mabel was (by all accounts) born in 1873, but the transcribed baptism record provides a year of 1871. There is one obvious way to settle this. I could go to St. Luke's and ask to see the original record. Unfortunately, I don't know when I'll next be in Kalamazoo. Even when I do go, my limited time there is precious and I need to go where I can answer multiple questions in a single trip. So, for now I'll have to continue wondering.

1. "Michigan Births, 1867-1902." database and digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 05 March 2013. entry for Mabel Flynn, born 24 June 1873; citing Birth Records, FHL microfilm 4,206,432; Michigan Department of Vital Records, Lansing, Michigan.
2. 1880 U.S. census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, p. 221 (stamped), dwelling 344, family 344, digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com, accessed 27 Nov 2006); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 586.
3. 1894 Michigan state census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, Kalamazoo city, Ward 3, p. 563, dwelling 231, family 243, digital image, SeekingMichigan.org (www.seekingmichigan.org, accessed 13 Sep 2012); citing Archives of Michigan Microfilm reel 4797.
4. 1910 U.S. census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, Kalamazoo City, Ward 5, E.D. 153, sheet 3B, dwelling 67, family 72, digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com, accessed 27 Nov 2006); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 654.
5. 1920 U.S. census, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, population schedule, Kalamazoo Precinct 30, Ward 5, E.D. 177, sheet 13A, dwelling 416, family 416, digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com, accessed 27 Nov 2006); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 775.
6. Lawrence H. Flynn (Cpl., Co. M, 1^st MI. Eng. and Mech., Civil War), application no. 279,062, certificate no. 382,696, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications. . ., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. Kalamazoo Public Library (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 3x5” Vital Records File, Mary Hoskins Flynn Baptism, digital image, kalamazoogenealogy.org (www.kalamazoogenealogy.org, accessed 25 Aug 2009) Image 9330. ; citing St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Kalamazoo, Michigan), Parish Record Book 1 (1862-1901).
   

90 Years Late

The Civil War soldier died on November 24, 1916, but his gravestone was set in place ninety years later, almost to the day. Lawrence Flynn was no longer forgotten. But why had his grave lain unmarked for so long? The simple answer was likely an absence of money, but I wanted to know why.

When Lawrence mustered out of the 1^st Michigan Engineers & Mechanics in September 1865, he was still a young man, having just turned twenty-one. Unfortunately, he suffered a spinal injury while in service that pushed his last lumbar vertebra forward so that it apparently impinged on his spinal nerve. This resulted, according to one doctor who examined him, in “extreme neuralgia pains in both legs on standing or walking.” [1] Lawrence, himself, stated he experienced pain except when lying prone. [2]

Despite his injury Lawrence pursued a career. Apparently wishing to be more than a farmer, like his father, Lawrence wasted no time after the war in learning a trade. He moved in with his brother Michael, a successful Three Rivers carriage maker and lived with him for at least a couple of years learning the carriage business, particularly wordworking. [2] According to the 1870 census Lawrence was employed in a carriage-making shop in Constantine. By 1877 he had moved to Kalamazoo to join the burgeoning carriage industry there.

For most of his working life, Lawrence worked as a carpenter in one of a number of carriage-making shops. He even opened his own shop (twice), with a friend and blacksmith, Frank Whaling. Their business failed the second time after he and his partner quarreled. The case went to court, but despite examining the microfilmed records I am still in ignorance of the result. The court papers end with the appointment of a receiver to examine the books. After his business failed Lawrence continued working as a carriage maker and by 1901 was an employee of the Michigan Buggy Company. He would have been put out of work for many months when the entire plant burned to the ground in 1902. [See before and after photos and read the story] After the company rebuilt, Lawrence again worked for Michigan Buggy (at least in 1903 and 1908), but whether there or elsewhere he continued to work as a carriage maker (according to Kalamazoo city directories) until after 1910 when age (he was then 66) and ill-health presumably forced him to quit.

Another stressor for Lawrence, as well as a drain on his finances, was a lawsuit over the ownership of his home. This suit dragged out for five years, eventually concluding in 1908 when Lawrence was forced to move. This case may have originated in a breach of contract lawsuit from 1893 (the same parties were in both cases). Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the court records for the 1893 case, though I've searched the Kalamazoo chancery index more than once. The only references I have came from notices in the Kalamazoo Telegraph.

By 1911, and again in 1912, Lawrence was listed as a laborer in the Kalamazoo city directory. The next published directory in 1915 lists no occupation for him at all. How much Lawrence was physically able to work during these years is questionable. Even in his 30s, 40s and early 50s Lawrence was sometimes laid up for weeks at a time as a result of pain from his back injury. [2,3,4] This also seems to have played a role in the demise of his business, according to statements made by his partner. Lawrence did receive a military pension of $24/month in the last years of his life, but in the absence of additional income it was probably difficult for Lawrence, his wife and daughter to make ends meet.

The salary brought home by Lawrence's schoolteacher daughter, Mabel, was likely important in supporting the family. Upon Lawrence's death at the age of seventy-two, Lawrence's family apparently could not even afford a grave stone. And so, his burial plot lay unmarked for nearly ninety years until I provided information to the Michigan Sons of Civil War Veterans who applied for a government marker. Now, whenever I'm home and pass by Riverside Cemetery (specifically where Gordon Pl. meets Riverview Dr.) I say hello to one of my soldiers.

1. Deposition of H.B. Osborn, M.D., Lawence H. Flynn, invalid pension application no. 279,062, certificate no. 382,696 (Cpl., Co M, 1^st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
   
2. Deposition of Lawrence Flynn. Lawence H. Flynn, invalid pension application no. 279,062, certificate no. 382,696 (Cpl., Co M, 1^st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
3. Deposition of Edward Flynn. Lawence H. Flynn, invalid pension application no. 279,062, certificate no. 382,696 (Cpl., Co M, 1^st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
4. Deposition of Frank Whaling. Lawence H. Flynn, invalid pension application no. 279,062, certificate no. 382,696 (Cpl., Co M, 1^st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.

Civil War Stories. What to Believe?

While researching the Civil War service of my great-grandfather's brother, Lawrence Flynn, I made use of his compiled military service record, pension application file and histories of the units with which he served. I then wrote a brief description of his time in the military to share with my family. It was not the most thrilling read, but was as accurate as I could reasonably make it considering I had no personal stories to include. So, you can imagine my great joy when I found a Kalamazoo Gazette article at GenealogyBank.com containing an interview with Lawrence.

Photo of Lawrence Flynn taken during the 1860s.  From the author's collection.  All rights reserved.

“Camp Fire Tales” it was titled and I eagerly began to read. The article explained that Lawrence, aged seventeen, first attempted to enlist in Kalamazoo where he was reportedly attending school. Turned away, Lawrence traveled to Saginaw where he joined the First Michigan Lancers in October of 1861, though still underage. Lawrence may have believed it would be romantic to wield a lance while riding into battle on a horse, but that never came to pass. The regiment was disbanded within about six months, in part for a lack of horses and in part due to the large number of Canadians enrolled. So far, the article agreed with what I had previously found, though the bits about going to school and attempting to enlist in Kalamazoo were new to me.

By the third paragraph, however, I realized something was amiss. The article's author, Harry W. Bush, stated that soon after the Lancers were disbanded Lawrence enlisted in Company M of the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics on Sept. 24, 1862. While Lawrence did join Co. M, according to documents in his pension application file he did not sign up until Oct. 22, 1863. Moreover, he could not have joined the company in 1862 because company M was only formed in late 1863. They were quickly put into service, however, because by mid-November Company M was already busily at work securing the railroads in Tennessee and soon after in Alabama. [1]

Bush then stated that “while [Lawrence] may have missed some of the preliminary fighting done by the organization . . . he joined in time to participate in the fight at Lavergne, Tenn., January 1, 1863.” [2] Bush followed this by describing the battle of Stone's River in which the Engineers successfully fended off the Confederates who were attempting to sever the railroad supply lines at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He ended the passage saying “comrade Flynn was one of the men who helped beat off the rebel cavalrymen.” [2]

The rapid, yet solid construction of the Elk River bridge was also discussed. Again the implication was that Lawrence participated. But this feat too occurred prior to Lawrence's entry into service.

Finally, the article included another incident in which Lawrence reportedly played a key role. The story was that a group of twenty-eight Engineers & Mechanics was camped for the night. Suddenly, a colored man emerged from the darkness to tell them they were surrounded and would surely be attacked by the Confederates at dawn. Lawrence volunteered to pass through the enemy lines to seek aid. “I started out,” Lawrence related “and crawled along the ground for what seemed miles until I was well past the rebels. Then I got up and ran to Tullahoma [Tennessee] and gave the alarm. Just at daylight I guided a force of 700 boys in blue to where the rebels lay.” They drove off the Confederates, capturing some of them and saved their little band of men. [2]

Now I was faced with a question, what, if anything could I believe from this article ? Simply put, not much. Every record I have indicates that Lawrence only served in the Lancers and in company M of the Engineers & Mechanics. That being the case I must discount all suggestions of his involvement in anything prior to October 1863. That leaves only the Tullahoma story. This could be true, but considering the rest of the article I can't lend it credence. Unless I find another account of this incident I won't feel comfortable including it in my account of Lawrence's military service.

So then I wondered about the interview for this article. I can imagine three possibilities to explain the errors in the article. 1) Lawrence described some major exploits of the First Michigan Engineers & Mechanics and the reporter assumed Lawrence was involved. 2) Lawrence insinuated that he participated in these events. Or, 3) Lawrence simply lied. Sadly, I'll never know which is closest to the truth. I certainly don't want to believe that Lawrence lied about his service, but I can't rule it out either. In Lawrence's defense, the investigator for his brother Edward's pension considered Lawrence to have a good reputation in the community and to be a reliable source. And yes, I have seen instances in which people were considered unreliable. Unfortunately, that doesn't help me resolve where the fault lies for this article's errors.

One thing I did obtain from the article was a photo of Lawrence. I have only one identified photograph of Lawrence that was taken in the 1860s so it was like finding buried treasure even though the picture is of poor quality. Lawrence appeared to be bald and sported a very bushy, though well-groomed mustache. Lawrence died only months after the article was published and since money was scarce, this may have been the last photograph taken of him. While overall, the article proved to be a disappointment as it related to enlivening my account of Lawrence's military service, the photo saved it from being a total loss.

1. Hoffman, Mark. “My Brave Mechanics, The First Michigan Engineers and Their Civil War.” 2007. Wayne State University Press. Detroit, Michigan.
2. Kalamazoo Gazette, 1-30-1916, p7