The excise department of the state of New York is ably represented in Ontario county by Francis Flynn, of Geneva county, a sturdy and progressive Irish-American, who has served the public in various responsible capacities and won the confidence of his fellow-citizens by his integrity and strict attention to duty.
The Flynns are of ancient and honorable lineage, and the founder in America of the family now (1910) in hand was Francis Flynn, who was born in the parish of Fanith. Ireland, March 22, 1815. Emigrating to the United States in 1835 he readily adapted himself to the new conditions which surrounded him, and settling in Auburn, Cayuga county, New York, he was for a time engaged in the grocery business. The public service, however, appeared more attractive to him than the uncertainties of mercantile life, and possessing the necessary physical requirements for admission to the Auburn police force he was connected with that department for several years. Retiring from the police force with an honorable record for efficiency, he was subsequently employed as a keeper at the Auburn State Prison. Mr. Flynn died at Auburn in 1894. He married Bridget Scollin, born in Ireland, August 9, 1822, died at Auburn in 1872. Children: Patrick A., John, Elizabeth, Michael, Katherine, William, Francis, a sketch of whom can be found elsewhere.