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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
J. E. FLEENER, dental surgeon, at Oskaloosa, is a native of Jefferson County, Iowa, where he was born Jan. 5, 1861. He is a son of John and Sarah Downey Fleener, natives of Indiana, who emigrated to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1845, while the present State was still a Territory. They were among the earliest settlers of that county. Dr. Fleener, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the founder of Abingdon, Jefferson Co., Iowa, that town being located on the land entered by him. J. E. Fleener, the subject of this sketch, was raised upon a farm, and received his early education in the common schools. In the spring of 1880 he entered the office of Dr. T. L. James, of Fairfield, Iowa, a graduate of Philadelphia Dental College, remaining there as a student until the spring of 1881, when he attended McCordsville School, at MeCordsville, Ind., graduating there in the teachers' preparatory course in 1882. In the winters of 1883Ä84Ä85Ä86, he attended the State University of Iowa, where he graduated in dental surgery in March, 1886. Fo]lowing his graduation he came to Oskaloosa, where he formed a partnership with Dr. G. W. Miller in the practice of dentistry. Dr. Fleener is a young man of good ability in his profession, and may be styled a self-made man. His father died when he was eight years old, leaving him without any means whatever, and his education is the result of his own exertions. John and Sarah Fleener were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living: Robert W. is a farmer at Silverdale, Kan.; John N. resides in Wapello County, Iowa; William J. is engaged in farming at Abingdon, Iowa; Ella is the wife of S. J. Adams, of Hedrick, Iowa; J. E., our subject; Ellsworth M., of Hedrick; Lee R., of Wapello County; George N. is at home. John Fleener died in Keokuk County, Iowa, in 1869, and was a member of the Christian Church. His widow was married to R. Gamble, and at present resides in Abingdon. With one exception the family are all members of the Christian Church.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy