52 Ancestors: Occupation—Edward N. Flynn: From Lamplighter to Mayor

This is my third year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

    There have been several doctors in the Thomas & Mary Davey family. Daughters, Mary Jane and Catherine Rose were both physicians for women and children’s ailments.  Two sons of their daughter, Elizabeth Davey were also doctors: Edward N. Flynn and Frederic H. Flynn. This story is about Edward.

    Edward N. Flynn, a life-long bachelor, who lived in Jeffersonville, Indiana, held many jobs in his lifetime.  He started out as a lamplighter for the J.M. & I. railroad, where he lit the signal lamps[1] He then studied telegraphy and became an operator.[2] In his spare time he read about medicine while saving up to attend the Louisville Medical College.[3] He graduated in 1897 and returned to Jeffersonville where he opened an office.[4] In 1905, he ran for mayor of Jeffersonville on the Republican ticket and was elected and served four years.[5] He became seriously ill for five weeks, suffering from acute valvular heart trouble and pneumonia. Specialists from Cincinnati were called, but he died 9 July 1916. Bells tolled at both houses of the fire department 19 times.[6]

     “During the time he was mayor, Dr. Flynn erected a new office building on West Court avenue which was regarded as one of the most complete of its kind in Southern Indiana, being fitted up with all the conveniences necessary to the activities of a physician with a large practice.”[7]

     He was also member of Jeffersonville Loge No. 340 F. and A.M.; Jeffersonville Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar; Elks' Lodge No 362, Jeffersonville; and the Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the Golden Cross.[8] He was also a member of the Advent Christian Church, however his funeral was conducted at Morton Memorial Methodist Episcopal and he was buried at Walnut Ridge Cemetery.[9]

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[1] "Death Claims Dr. E. N. Flynn," Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), 10 July 1916, p 6.

[2] New Albany, Indiana Directory,

[3] “Death Claims Dr. E.N. Flynn.”

[4] "United States Deceased Physician File (AMA), 1864-1968," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Edward N. Flynn (image no. 2715 & 2716).

[5] “Death Claims Dr. E.N. Flynn.”

[6] "Passing of Dr. Flynn," Jeffersonville Star, 10 Jul 1916, p. 1.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] "Many Mourn at Flynn Funeral," Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), 13 July 1916, p 6.

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