Rueben H. Flinn
 

Boone county, Ind. is the favorite home of many veterans of the Civil war, and among them is Reuben H. Flinn, our subject a soldier who deserves more than a passing space in our record. His grandfather, William Flinn, was one of the pioneers of Kentucky. He descended from an old colonial American family of Irish ancestry. He became a substantial farmer and was the father of three children who are remembered -- Valentine, John and William. He lived to be more than eighty years of age. Valentine Flinn, father of our subject, was a farmer of Nicholas county, Ky., and married there Susannah Sacre. To them were born ten children in the following order: John R., Alfred, William W., Marion F., George W., Reuben H., Johanna C., Mary J., Rowena E. and Thomas D. About 1833, Mr. Flinn moved to Indiana and located in Clinton county, where he remained four years and then went back to Kentucky, and in 1853 returned to Clinton county, and came to Boone county in 1855, and here passed the remainder of his days. Both he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church. He voted with the democrats until 1856, when he became one of the original republicans. Mr. Flinn was a typical American pioneer and straightforward in his manner of dealing. He was loyal to the Union and had four sons in the Civil war -- Alfred, in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry; William W., in company D, One Hundred and Fifty-third regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry; George W., company D, Seventy-second regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, belonging to Wilder's brigade; and Reuben H.. Reuben H. Flinn was born August 13, 1840, in Franklin county, Ky. He received the pioneer education of his day, and was thirteen years of age when he came with his father to Indiana. He followed the pursuit of agriculture. At the breaking out of the war, filled with patriotism to serve his country, he enlisted on May 8, 1861, in Washington township, Boone county, Ind., in company H, Fifteenth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and served three years. He veteranized in January, 1864, and was transferred to company C, Seventeenth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Macon, Ga., and was honorably discharged, having served his country as a soldier four years and three months. He was in the battles of Stone River, Missionary Ridge and many skirmishes. In the Seventeenth regiment he was mounted, and in the famous Wilson raid. He was in a severe skirmish at Ebinceger Church, Ala., at Selma, and a skirmish before Macon. Mr. Flinn was never wounded nor sick enough to be in hospital, and was never a prisoner. He took part in all the battles and skirmishes of his regiment, and was always ready for active duty. At Missionary Ridge a shell passed directly back of his head, so close that the rush of air knocked him down, and at Stone River he had a narrow escape from death. After the war he lived in Carroll county, Ind., on a farm for about eighteen months, and in 1867 he returned to Boone county. He married, January 17, Missouri G., daughter of William L. and Eliza (Mitchell) Martin. William L. Martin was a mechanic, born in Maryland, moved to Cincinnati, and came to Indiana and settled in Scott county, as a pioneer, in 1838. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born nine children: Mary F., James E., William H., Missouri G., Adelia O., Arthur E., Elvira U., Granville E. and John F. Mr. Martin descended from an old colonial American family of English stock. His son, James B., was a soldier in the Civil war, company G, Eleventh regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry. He was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Forty-sixth regiment, Arkansas cavalry. He afterward became a physician. He was an honorable citizen and a member of the Methodist church. After marriage Mr. Flinn settled at Thorntown, engaged in farming, and in 1885 bought his present property, consisting of forty-six acres of land in Center township, and with his pension of fourteen dollars per month is in comfortable circumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Flinn have three children now living: Charles O., C. A. and Roy E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Flinn are members of the Christian church, of which he is secretary and trustee. In political opinions he is a stanch republican. Mr. Flinn has a clean record as a soldier and did not shrink from his duty. He faced death for his country at Stone River and Missionary Ridge, and his name, honored as a soldier, will be handed down to his sons and descendants as long as the old flag for which he fought waves in the breeze.
 

Transcribed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," p 304-305, published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago.