My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. FLAIG, farmer; P. O. New Madison. He was born Jan 25, 1831, in Wurtemberg, Germany; emigrated to the United States when 23 years of age, and worked at a trade (tanner) in New Jersey for one man seven years; in 1860, Mr. Flaig came to Richmond, Ind., near which place he purchased land and farmed two years; then sold and removed to New Paris, where he took an interest in a tannery, which he soon sold, not liking his partner, and removed to New Madison; rented the tannery now owned by Mrs. Snodgrass, whose biography appears in this work, which he operated four years, after which he engaged in the grocery and provision trade; this he continued ten years, burning, during this time, many kilns of brick, and building the walls of most of the fine school buildings which now ornament the country in this vicinity; in the fall of 1874, Mr. Flaig visited his old home and other parts of Germany, returning about Christmas; in 1876, he sold his store and purchased a farm adjoining the corporation, which he still owns, living in his fine brick residence in town; of public honors, he has had a full share, holding one or more town and township offices almost continuously with his residence here, being at the present time Town Treasurer, Township Appraiser and School Director. He was married to Agnes Straub, in Philadelphia, April 23, 1856; they were the parents of one child, Joseph, who is now living with his father; Mrs. Flaig’s death occurred June 12, 1857. Mr. Flaig and Elizabeth Hambil were married in Philadelphia April 17, 1858; they have four children—Lizzie, Wilhelm, John A. and Henry B., all of whom are living at home; the mother of Mrs. (Straub) Flaig, Mrs. Odela Straub, who was born in 1803, and whose husband died at sea during the voyage from Germany, in 1853, is now also a member of this interesting household.