Dan
Flynn

DANIEL J. FLYNN was born in Newfoundland in November of 1893 to William and Ellen Flynn. The family, which included a twin brother whose names is reported as both Patrick (1900 Census) and James (1910), younger brother Martin and younger sister Annie, came to New Jersey in 1893, Two other children were born prior to the 1900 Census, Christina in May of 1895 and William C. in January of 1897. The family was living at 256 Chestnut Street in Camden at the timne of the census. The three older Flynn children worked as telegram messengers, while the elder Flynn was employed as a wharf builder. The family was still at that address in 1910. Daniel and Martin Flynn were working as clerks for a "broker". William Flynn was employed as a ships carpenter.

During these years Daniel Flynn boxed professionally as a flyweight. He later became nationally known as a homing pigeon fancier, and founded the South Jersey Homing Pigeon Club, which is still active in 2006.

Daniel Flynn was living with his wife Louise and daughter Olive at 2963 Yorkship Square in January of 1920. He was then working at a shipyard. He later moved to Gloucester City NJ, where he sold automobile accessories.

A "hunch" that he might be robbed early today saved Daniel Flynn, 47, an automobile accessory dealer, of Broadway and Morris street, Gloucester, a roll of about $700 he usual1y carries.

Two men lured him to a dark spot near Sixth street and Chelten avenue, through a fake telephone call. One robbed him while the other held him by the throat, but they got only $5.

A flyweight boxer in Camden in his youth, Flynn is nationally known as a pigeon fancier, founder and past president of the South Jersey Homing Pigeon Club. He received a telephone call at 12:15 a. m. A man said he was calling for a friend of Flynn, whose name he gave. He declared the friend had serious trouble with his automobile at Sixth Street and Chelten Avenue, Camden, and wanted Flynn to drive there and help him.

Suspecting it might not be well to carry much money, Flynn left all but $5 at home and drove there. He saw no car. Two men approached on foot. They directed him to a dark spot at the dead end of Sixth Street. There one of the thieves seized him by the throat, scratching his face, while the other went through his pockets. Neither displayed a weapon. Flynn said both outweighed him and he was powerless to resist.

Lights of an approaching automobile appeared, and the men took to their heels. Flynn reported to John Opfer, Camden detective, that the thieves leaped in a car parked some distance away and escaped. He gave Opfer a good description.