Flynn and Related Families

Church records indicate that Patrick McKernan was born on March 31, 1855 in New Diggings, WI and baptized on April 4, 1855 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in New Diggings by Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli. Godparents were John Donohoe and Ellen Timmons.

Obituary, Darlington Democrat, September 24, 1925: DEATH OF PATRICK F McKERNAN - Funeral services for Patrick F. McKernan, who was called at the age of 70 years to his heavenly reward Thursday afternoon, Sept. 17th, at 3:30 o'clock, were held at St. Michael's church of Calamine Saturday morning at 10:00 o'clock, High Mass being celebrated by Rev. Father M.B. Norton of Columbus, Wis., a former pastor and friend of the deceased. Rev. Father Sheridan, the resident pastor, who attended him faithfully during his last illness delivered the funeral sermon. The members of St. Michael's Catholic Order of Foresters formed in a procession and attended the service in a body. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery at Kendaltown. Patrick F. McKernan was born in New Diggings, March 31, 1855. He belonged to a family of eleven children, all of whom preceded him to the grave except Mrs. Tom Flood and Mrs. Margaret Conley [should be Cassidy] who were at his side when he died. As a boy he attended the sister's school at New Diggings. The Civil War made it necessary for him to leave school and go to work but he continued his home study during his spare time. With his family he moved to Seymour and for a time attended what was called the Dobson school, later taking studies at Darlington high school. At the age of 18, having obtained a good second grade certificate, he taught school for six years. In 1879 he went to New Mexico where he earned a few hundred dollars with which he opened a store in Calamine. In 1914 he went to Billings, Montana, where for two years he assisted in the management of the Hart Albin store, one of the largest stores in the West. He then returned to his old home and spent the remainder of his days with love and devotion to the community in which he lived. In 1881 he was married to Sarah Anne Boyle and to this union seven children were born, three of whom preceded him to the grave. He was devoted to his wife and family and gave the children an education at the Platteville Normal School. The living members of the family: Tom of Milwaukee, John of New Orleans, Phoebe (Mrs. Geo. Mongold) and Packey of Calamine were at his side when he died.