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Robert H. Flannigan, Esq., attorney at law and justice of Benton, was born in Hamilton County, October 23, 1847, the son of Robert H. and Elizabeth (Cantrell) F]annigan, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee respectively. The father came to Illinois in 1817, and was a prominent and influential citizen of Hamilton County, being a magistrate and associate judge of the county. He afterward moved to Phelps County, Mo., where he was county judge, and where he died in November, 1884, on the bench.

Our subject was reared in his native county, and educated at the southern Illinois College, and later at the normal school of Carbondale. In 1869 he began the study of law at McLeansboro, under Hon. R. W. Townshend, and afterward at the law school at St. Louis. Since 1871 he has been practicing more or less in Benton. In 1876 he was elected circuit clerk, filling the office one term of four years effeciently. Since then he has been devoted to his practice. He was also master of chancery for four years, and in 1886 was elected magistrate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of E. B. Evans, Esq. He is also successfully engaged in real estate.

October 28, 1877, he married Emma St. Clair, of this county. Their only son is Charles C. Mr. Flannigan has always been a Democrat, and as such elected to his various offices. He is a prominent Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the K. of H., and of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Note: There is a proven Revolutionary War Cantrell line connected to this bio.