The morning call., 1893-07-16

With his relatives Not doing 80 yester-
<day, his mother, concluding that lie had
'oyerslept, sent her granddaughter over To
call him.
! When the child entered the room she
discovered her uncle stretched upon the
5iioor and unconscious.
Hurryine nome she told what she had
seen. and Mr.. Flavin's relatives quickly
repaired 10 his room. Medical aid was
also summoned. but no, hing could be done,
and in a short time he expired.
Martin J. Favia's career was more than
an ordinary one. and illustrates plainly
what pluck and determination may do.
Coming to America when bat mere
enild. ana being the sun o. poor pa nts, he
soon found himself compelled &c arm his
own living.
Hs secured = position as cashboy with
Lord & Taylor OF New orE & and
while attending to the duties 1cu nbent
upon him managed also - eGLc..'o ",inSeli
SO that in a few years he was made and
found capable of attending to the duties
of cashier.
Upon leaving New York he went South
and for three years managed the st.
Charles Hotel in New Orleans. Then In
1867 or 1868 lie came TO this coast
Upon his arrival IN San FRANCISCO he
found things not quite as brig ghi a. they had
been pictured and tor shot time his
struggle to make both ends meet was
hard one. Eventually, however, he secured
q position as salesman in Van Schack's
Plaza stores, and then the tide Of fortune
turned in his favor. For three years he
sold goods and managed Van Schalck's
business, and during tuat time lie s. in
creased the trade that he felt justified IN
asking his emul0yer To enter lntO some
arrangement by which he might obtain an
interest in the business. This Van Schack
refusing to do, Flavin expressed deter
min tion TO open S:0-e for himself. His
mother provided him with $500, ner entire
fortune. and he opened a store a; the cor
ner of Kearny and Commercial streets.
That was in the spring Of 1871, and from
then on until few years ago everything
he touched seemed In turn into money.
The $500 grew until at one time Fiavin's
wealth was estimated at over 5000. 600 His
stores grew III Ike manner. First the
corner place spread out until nearly half
the block was occupied.
Then a change Of location was made.
and that well-kn0wn sign l y l. was hung
over those immense stores on the ground
floor of the building on Market street
which adjoins the Baldwin Hotel. For
long while business pros peTed there. but
eventually there came to MartIn j. Flavin
those reverses in fortune which all are apt
to meet and be went down just AS others
had before and may again.
Everything he possessed was turned
over for the benefit uf his creditors, ana
as he began lie years ago in that New
ork store so did he end it yesterday
poor.
Martin j. Flavin's death will bring forth
many expressions of regret, for no man
was better known and liked in the COM
munity than be.
In business he was always honest and
fair, wnle MS social intercourse with his
fellOw-men was of the kind to draw them
closely around him.
lover OF all athletic sports, he was also
a leader IN them, and for many wears was
identified with the Olympic Club. hay-
ing twice been chosen its president. He
was also a great swimmer, and while in
possession of good health could be seen
every morning of the year taking dip at
one OF the bathing resorts which line the
northern shore of the city.
1t was he who built the Shelter Cove
Baths and first suggested the advisabilitv
OF bringing salt water in from the ocean
and locating baths in the heart Of the citv-
A company was organized by him for
this purpose, but the failure to obtain a
franchise prevented it from accomplishing
anything.
OF all the traits of Martin J. Flavin's
character the one which will shine out
most brightly, however. was his whole
souled generosity.
No person could be more charitable than
was he.
Always ready and willing to assist the
deserving there is no wonder then thai
over the homes of many poor people who
knew nm 10 his days of prosperity the
news of his death will cast a shadow. To
"9rkingmen he was always kind.
LDurlng the many strikes and the hard
@Simes Vi q lew years ago he was regular
contrlo9tor TO the funds for the benefit OF
tue neeuy oues. and when the conductors
anu erIphsii haa trouble with the Suffer.
street road it was he who purchased cha d IL the !,
horses and bus for them with wbch ae1 ,bav 1a,
ran their Pos,5street EsdI. opposition raad.
ford. Ireland. and was at the time " nt a'ei' ei:
death within month of being az d wars ~, n,S u,
age.
He leaves widow aud one child hot,
of whom are a present in Chicavn 80. So.l
he expected soon to embark in brS;neaiae "aieie
His widow is the daughter of Judge 49,,
OF San Jose.