NOTE: The date of death on the grave marker comes AFTER the publication of death in the newspaper. Thus the date on the gravestone is incorrect. The date of death on the memorial is from reading the newspaper carefully. If the transcription of the age at death is correct, then Dennis' birth date calculates to 22 Jun 1813. Some have placed his birth location as County Cork but I do not have any documentation to that effect.

Emigrated from Ireland before 1845. Married Catherine Lucinda Meyer. First child born in Rensselaer County, NY in 1846. Purchased land in Elida Township, Winnebago County, IL on May 31, 1847. Appear there in the 1850 US Census. Purchased land in Gratiot Township, Lafayette County, WI on December 1, 1852. Appear there in the 1860 and 1870 US Censuses. He also appears there in the 1855 WI census.

Eight Children: William James Flinn (4/14/1846-7/1/1924, m. Julia Ann Smith 3/3/1867); Sarah Ann Flinn (8/24/1848-8/10/1927, m. John B. Piersol 6/3/1869); Judson Flinn (10/4/1850-12/9/1872, never married); Frank E. Flinn (11/30/1852-4/3/1855); Catherine Lucinda Flinn (2/22/1855-8/19/1946, m1. David Harrison Piersol 9/1/1872 and William Oliver Moore); Frederic Flinn (4/14/1857-11/24/1933, m. Mathea Severson 2/22/1877); George Henry Flinn (7/24/1859-5/4/1929, m. Helene Severson 6/6/1880); and Luther Flinn (1864-1870)

The Sentinel (Warren, Illiniois) -- January 9, 1871
"Mr. Dennis Flynn, an old settler of the town of Gratiot, Wisconsin, died at his residence on Monday last. The funeral services took place on Tuesday and were conducted by the Ridgeley Lodge of Odd Fellows of this place of which Mr. Flynn was a member. Mr. Flynn was about 57 years old and leaves a large family to mourn his loss. He was looked upon by his neighbors as one of the best men in the county and all united in sympathy with the bereaved family in their great loss."