Edward Flanagan, centered in the front row, with his family in 1908. Source — Boys Town Hall of History, Boys Towns, Nebraska.

Edward Flanagan was born in County Roscommon, Ireland on July 13, 1886. As a young man Flanagan wanted to be a priest. Father Flanagan moved to America in the 1910s. His first parish was in O'Neill, Nebraska. His second one was in Omaha, Nebraska.

Father Flanagan developed an understanding for the boys and young men who were orphaned by society. He realized that children who were neglected often turned to crime.

In 1916, Father Flanagan opened the Workingman's Hotel in Omaha, a place for homeless young men to live while they looked for work. Source — Boys Town Hall of History, Boys Towns, Nebraska.

A guiding principle came from working with these young men. He realized that all boys needed love to be productive citizens. That was why Father Flanagan turned his energy to loving boys who were neglected. Source — Boys Town Hall of History, Boys Town, Nebraska. Click here to see a video segment about Flanagan's principles. You'll need the QuickTime Player.

	Click this button to print this page of the story.