Individual Details

The birth date of Josiah is uncertain. It's been recorded in England, Canada, and United States as years 1826 through 1834.
His Josiah emigrated from England to Ontario, Canada but the year is uncertain. Probably between 1846 and 1849. He lived in Adjala, Simcoe County, Ontario 1853-1858 and in Tecumseth, Simcoe County, Ontario 1854-1856.
In the 1871 Canada Census of Ontario he is listed as Jasey, age 42, born in England, and a farmer along with Rachel, his wife, and eight children in Mulmur, Simcoe South, Ontario, Canada..
In 1872 Josiah's first marriage to Rachel LYONS ended with her death. It is believed Rachel was scared by a bull when pregnant with Louisa and went into labor. Louisa survived but Rachel did not. There were ten children from that marriage all born in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.
In 1873 Josiah married Tamar Whitley. The Simcoe County, Ontario County, Canada Marriage Registration Document Number 010417 has his name as Isaiah; lists both Josiah and Tamar as Methodists, the marriage conducted by Thomas Campbell, witnessed by Hester FLATT of Tecumseth and James FLATT of Mono, both residing in Mulmer when married. It is possible that this is Josiah's brother, James, and James' daughter Ester. Josiah was a farmer and Tamar a spinster. There were eleven children from that marriage.
The Grandin, North Dakota Centennial 1881-1891 Publication indicates he immigrated to Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota in 1875, and his family came a year later and settled on a farm near Gardner, North Dakota [this is in error, as it is documented through children's births that the family was in Canada as late as January 1878] .
In the 1880 Census, Josiah is living with Tamar and five children in Fargo, Dakota Territory and indicates he is a laborer, he was born in England and his parents were born in England. He gave his age at last birthday as 48.
The 1884 Fargo Directory lists Josiah and Tamar as living on 6th Avenue between Park and Cass Streets.
The Dakota Territory 1885 Census has the family listed in Cass County but he is listed as Joseph and Tamar as Lamar.
The State of North Dakota, Cass County Naturalization Papers, Page 251, dated 3 Nov 1890, Volume F-23, indicate he was born in England in 1834 and emigrated to America in February 1878. He filed his intention to become naturalized on 7 April 1879 and took his oath of office on 3 November 1890.
In the 1900 Census it indicates he is a farm owner in Kinyon Township, Cass County, North Dakota and he entered the United States in 1878. It gives his birth date as Oct 1832.
The Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Chicago: George A. Ogle and Co., 1900, contains this article (except for the notes): "One of the early settlers of Cass County resides on Section 28,in Kinyon Township (note: Kinyon is Township 143, Range 50) and is well known and highly respected in his community. He was born in the county of Norfolk, England, 7 October 1832 (note this year differs from the naturalization papers) and when about 16 (note this contradicts Norfolk 1851 census if we have the correct James Flatt Norfolk census) emigrated to America and settled in Simcoe County,Ontario, Canada where he remained until 1878 (conflicts with the Grandin, Cass/Traill Counties, North Dakota Centennial publication). In the spring of that year he went to North Dakota and for several years made his home in Fargo, while he was engaged in farming in that vicinity. He purchased 480 acres of land in Section 28 in Kinyon Township in the summer of 1886 and has resided thereon since that time. He has made valuable improvements to his property and has met with success in the pursuit of agriculture. He was married to his second wife in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada 25 March 1875 (note it was actually 1873) to Miss Tamar Whitley, who was born in Simcoe County 14 February 1852. Mr and Mrs Flatt are the parents of 9 living children, as follows: Thomas G, Josiah, Jr., Emogene, Charlotte,Eugene, Wesley, Walter, Earl, and May. Four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Flatt died in infancy or childhood, as follows: Hannah, Eugene,Pearl, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Flatt is a prominent citizen and active in social and religious affairs of his community and enjoys the respect and esteem of the people among whom he has resided for many years."
North Dakota History and People Outlines of American History Volume I Chicago The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company 1917, contains this article: "Josiah Flatt came to Canada at the age of 14 (1848).Married Rachel Lyons about 1853. Josiah and Rachel had eight children. Rachel died. Josiah marries Tamar Whitley in Ontario in 1873. Moved to Fargo in 1878: seven years later purchased 480 acre farm in Cass County. Josiah and Tamar had 13 children."
North Dakota History and People Outlines of American History Volume II Chicago The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company 1917, Josiah Flatt p.619-620 contains this article: "For a considerable period Josiah Flatt was numbered among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Cass County and won success through his earnest,persistent efforts. He was born in England, October 7, 1834 and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth until he crossed the Atlantic to Canada when fourteen years of age. He remained a resident of that country until 1878, which year witnessed his arrival in North Dakota. He took up his abode at Fargo, where he remained for seven years and then purchased the farm that his widow still occupies, becoming the owner of 480 acres of rich and productive land on section 28, Kinyon township, Cass County. He at once began to develop and improve the property and thereon erected a number of buildings and added other modern equipment. Mr. Flatt was twice married. In Canada he wedded Miss Rachel Lyons, who passed away in that country and by whom he had eight children. In 1873 Mr. Flatt was again married, his second union being with Miss Tamar Whitley, a native of Canada and a daughter of William and Abigail (Hughson) Whitley, both of whom passed away in that country. By his second wife Mr. Flatt had thirteen children, of whom the following survive: Thomas G., who follows farming in Cass county, Josiah; Wesley; Walter, at home; Emma G., who is the wife of George Gould; Edna May, who gave her hand in marriage to Warren Collins; and Earl, who is still at home. The death of the husband and father occurred March 12, 1910, and he was laid to rest in the Rose Valley cemetery, leaving a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. She still gives personal supervision to the operation of the farm and displays good business ability in management. She belongs to the Free Methodist church, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful part, and her well spent life has gained her high regard wherever she is known. Mr. Flatt was also a consistent Christian,belonging to the Free Methodist church, and in his political views he was an earnest democrat but he never sought nor held office. He was much interested in the schools of the community and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. In his business career his record was one of steady progress resulting from indefatigable energy, persistency of purpose and honorable dealing, and thus it was that he was able to leave his widow in very comfortable financial circumstances."

• 

Birth	Bef 2 Oct 1828	Norfolk County, England
Baptism	2 Oct 1828	Kenninghall, Norfolk, England
Immigration	Abt 1847	Ontario, Canada
Marriage	1853	Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada - Rachel Lyons
Marriage	25 Mar 1873	Rosemont, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada - Tamar Jean Whitley
Immigration	Abt 1875	Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota
Naturalization	3 Nov 1890	Cass County, North Dakota
Burial	Mar 1910	Rose Valley Cemetery, Gardner, Cass County, North Dakota
Death	12 Mar 1910	Gardner, Cass County, North Dakota

Spouse	Tamar Jean Whitley (1852 - 1935)
Child	Silas (Si) Josiah Flatt (1876 - 1959)
Child	Hannah Flatt (1878 - 1885)
Child	Thomas George Flatt (1878 - 1973)
Child	Pearl Flatt (1880 - )
Child	Eugene Flatt (1880 - 1885)
Child	Emogene Flatt (1880 - 1974)
Child	Charlotte (Lottie) Flatt (1882 - 1916)
Child	Eugene (Eugean) Flatt (1885 - 1909)
Child	Wesley Flatt (1886 - 1957)
Child	Walter Ernest Flatt (1888 - 1978)
Child	Earl Flatt (1891 - 1969)
Child	Edna Mae (Mae) FLATT (1894 - 1986)

Spouse	Rachel Lyons (1835 - 1872)
Child	Elizabeth Flatt (1854 - 1941)
Child	Margaret Ann Flatt (1854 - )
Child	John Henry Flatt (1856 - 1923)
Child	Rachel Anne Flatt (1859 - 1895)
Child	Sarah Jane Flatt (1863 - 1947)
Child	Joseph James Flatt (1864 - 1927)
Child	Emma "Emmey" Flatt (1867 - 1953)
Child	Matilda (Tilda) Flatt (1868 - 1871)
Child	William Flatt (1869 - )
Child	Louise Flatt (1868 - 1951)
Child	Charline Flatt (1871 - )

Father	James Flatt (1781 - 1864)
Mother	Judah (Judith) BETTS (1778 - 1857)
Sibling	Mary Ann Flatt (1804 - )
Sibling	Martha Flatt (1806 - )
Sibling	Ann Flatt (1809 - )
Sibling	James Flatt (1810 - 1884)
Sibling	William Flatt (1813 - )
Sibling	Lydia Flatt (1823 - )

Notes