Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Ed F. Flinn

Edmund Francis Flinn was born in California on July 4, 1878. His full name and birth date are from his World War I draft card. Flinn’s birthplace was recorded in the censuses.

In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Flinn was the only child of John, a butcher, and Sarah, an Irish emigrant. The family and a servant resided in San Francisco, California at 907 Jones Street.

Flinn graduated from San Francisco’s Polytechnic High School according to a profile of Herb Roth in Who Is Who on the World (1922).

The San Francisco Call, June 25, 1901, said Flinn was an artist on local papers.

At some point artist Flinn moved to New York City. According to the 1900 census, he was one of seven people boarding in the residence of Thomas Killilea, a physician, and his wife Anna. Their address was 246 Fifteenth Street. Flinn’s parents and two sisters lived in San Francisco.

The Call, July 5, 1901, said Flinn celebrated his birthday with his parents who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

American Newspaper Comics (2012) said Flinn drew several strips for the New York World. Flinn drew The Importance of Mr. Peewee which appeared January 31, 1903. It was turned into a series, beginning September 8, by Harold A. McGill, who was followed by an artist who used a drawing of a dog as his signature. The last artist was Ferd G. Long. From Flinn’s pen came Girls, Did It Ever Happen to You?; He Doesn’t Love Her Anymore; Letters from a Selfish Wife to Her Husband; Mr. Cantfooler; Mr. and Mrs. Pinch; The Rapidtoodleum; and The Sammy Smudge, Evening Fudge Wonder. Flinn drew the second installment of George Herriman’s Mrs. Waitaminnit, the Woman Who Is Always Late. When the World folded, Flinn created Upsets of Mr. Cutup for the New York Evening Telegram.

In the 1905 New York state census, Flinn was married to the former Anna Killilea. The couple were in the household of another Thomas Killilea, his wife Frances, and nephew Thomas R. Killilea, Jr. All resided in Manhattan, New York City at 150 West 83 Street.

Newspaper cartoonist Flinn, wife and step-son, Thomas R. Killilea, Jr., were Manhattan tenants at 526 West 151 Street as recorded in the 1910 census.

The Call, February 5, 1913, published a death notice for Flinn’s mother.

Flinn signed his World War I draft card on September 12, 1918. He was employed at the New York World newspaper as an advertising art director. Flinn’s description was tall, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair. He and his wife, Anna White Flinn, made their home at 584 Academy Street in Manhattan. The same address was in the 1920 census.

Editor and Publisher, October 2, 1920, said Flinn was the advertising art manager of the World.

A few years later, Flinn moved to the village of Floral Park in Nassau County, New York. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 8, 1924, reported the formation of the Floral Park Co-operative Savings and Loan Association. Flinn was a member of the board of directors.

The 1925 New York state census listed newspaper manager Flinn, his wife and step-son, in Floral Park at 184 Plainfield Avenue, the same address was in the 1930 census.

The New York Sun, June 29, 1933, reported the passing of Flinn’s wife who was 62 years old. About Flinn, the Sun said “Mr. Flinn was a cartoonist on the staff of the World for thirty-five years, and after that paper merged with the Telegram he was for a time head of the advertising art department of the American. At present he is the New York business representative of Percy Crosby, cartoonist.”

Flinn passed away March 4, 1936, at his home in Floral Park according to the Long Island Daily Press, March 5, 1936. The New York Times said the cause was coronary thrombosis. Flinn had remarried and was survived by his wife, Petra Hansen Flinn and her three children, and a sister. Flinn was vice president of the Floral Park Federal Building and Loan Association, a trustee of the Floral Park Public Library, a director of the Inter-County Title Guaranty and Mortgage Company and the Vantile Holding Corporation.

—Alex Jay