John E. Flatley was born at Holland, Brown County, Wisconsin on January 16, 1873. On March 15, 1895, he was appointed U.S. post master at Hannaford in Itasca County, but declined the position. He was in Bemidji by 1900. He married Clara “Carrie” Adams in Wadena County on October 28, 1901. He was a successful and practical farmer, living on 1200 12th Street in 1905. Wife Clara; daughter Doris, age 2.
He spent the summer of 1905 looking after his real estate interests at the new town of Puposky, near Mud Lake. In the fall, he accepted a position at the C. M. Bacon refreshment parlors. [saloon].
On June 22, 1906, Mrs. Flatley’s father was seriously injured when a chain broke and struck Mr. Adams in the stomach. W. J. Adams, a farmer living at Northern, was injured while pulling stumps on the J. E. Flatley farm a mile northwest of the city. He was struck in the stomach by the sweep, which was released under high pressure by the snapping of a chain. The injuries were thought at first to be serious and he was removed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. E Flatley, in this city, where he was attended by a physician. Reports this morning, however, are very favorable. Mr. Adams is 60 years old.
In May 1907, Flatley was one of the team owners within Bemidji who posted a notice that they had to raise their rates. He is listed along with Tom Smart, John Marin, John Streeter, and others.
In Nov 1907, E. J. Gealds purchased the saloon which has been conducted by C. M. Bacon for several years. The Bacon place was one of the most popular refreshment parlors in the city, and Mr. Bacon had always enjoyed a very liberal patronage. Mr. Gearlds retained J. E. Flatley to assist in supplying the wants of the patrons of the place, and he and Mr. Gearlds were expected to make a strong team.
The family suffered the loss of their little son, Meredith Flatley, on August 8, 1908; he is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. About 1908, he purchased the meat market previously owned by Schmidt & Hazen, an old reliable establishment located at 306 Third St. He was put forward by the Pioneer Souvenir edition as one of Bemidji’s leading businessmen. He disposed of his business, the City Meat Market, by selling it to F. Pierce in March of 1909.
A baby daughter was born to the Flatleys at Bemidji — Lucile May on Feb. 5, 1909.
In 1912, he owned a saloon at 215 Third Street. On January 12, 1912, he advertised: “On Saturday of this week a roast pig will be ‘on tap’ at J. E. Flatley’s on Third street. A young, juicy corn fed animal has been prepared for patrons on that day.”
On Oct 26, 1912, he posted an ad in the Pioneer. For Sale: Seven room modern house on Dewey avenue, with two lots. Bargain if taken at once. Apply J. E. Flatley.
In November 1917, he was paid for service as a patrolman by the city.
In 1920, he was foreman of a mining company and a resident of Gilbert, Itasca County, Minnesota.
In 1922, he moved back to Bemidji. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Flatley and family arrived in Bemidji Sunday evening from Gilbert, Minn., having made the trip by auto. They are guests of her sister, Mrs. Fred Fradet and family of 1223 Dewey Avenue, for a few days but will reside here and they expect to move to their residence at 519 Irvine avenue soon. (May 2, 1922)
He moved to Hibbing about 1926. At the time of the 1930 census, he was living in Itasca County with wife Clara, Edwin, Lloyd, Russell, Marianne, Margaret, and mother-in-law Marie Adams.
Clara Flatley died in 1931. John Flatley died on July 6, 1945.