Key figure

Mary Harkness Flagler

1833-12-09–1881-05-18

Born December 9, 1833 · Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio, USA
Married Henry M. Flagler 1883 (Mary 50, Henry 53) · divorced 1901 · 18 years
Died May 18, 1881 · age 47

Ida Alice Flagler worked as a nurse for Mary Harkness Flagler

Part of the The Flaglers topic.

Ida Alice Flagler worked as a nurse for Mary Harkness Flagler

Across the archive

Stories featuring Mary Harkness Flagler

Historical article

Edward Harkness first to meet King Tut

Ned Harkness was a patron of the Department of Egyptian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York after J.

Historical article

Robber Baron – Yes or No?

Did the Gilded Age have robber barons? Certainly, much like the current era.

Historical article

Flagler’s Satanstoe aka “Lawn Beach” Retreat

Henry was deeply affected by the death of his wife, Mary Harkness Flagler, in 1881.

Historical article

The Standard Oil fortune was a tidal wave of cash that either built the foundations of modern America or dissolved into a haze of eccentric scandals, proving that inheriting a billion dollars is often the quickest way to lose your mind.

Historical article

The Gold Coast of Long Island and Harkness

The Harkness family has some understated connections to the famous Gold Coast of Long Island, NY.

Historical article

Golf and Fishing – Ned Harkness

Ned Harkness, similar to myself, enjoyed golf and fishing, although I no longer actively fish.

Historical article

Stevana – Ned and Mary’s yacht

Edward and Mary Harkness used their steam yacht, Stevana (named after his parents Stephen and Anna) to commute back and forth between New York and Eolia and they also often traveled to Fishers Island and sometimes up the coast up to Maine.

Historical article

The Tragic Life of Ida Alice Shourds Flagler: Madness, Money, and a $300 Million Divorce

The Price of Madness: Ida Alice Flagler and the $2 Million Settlement. Ida Alice Flagler was born in 1848 and grew up in Philadelphia.

Historical article

Edward S. Harkness gives away the family fortune

Detailed Life Events Born January 22, 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio Died January 29, 1940 (aged 66) Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery Bronx, New York Education St.

Historical article

Harkness House, New York, NY

Photos and all details below courtesy of Tom Miller, Daytonian in Manhattan Note: I would like to recognize the late Paul Engel, formerly Curator and Director of Harkness House, who so graciously gave my wife and I a full tour of this beautiful home.

Historical article

Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio

Bellevue’s historic First Congregational Church aka “Harkness Memorial Presbyterian” is located on Southwest Street next to the Mad River Train Museum.

Historical article

The Day Henry Flagler and Will Harkness returned to Bellevue, Ohio

The last time Henry Flagler visited Bellevue was in October 1903 with Will L. Harkness.

Life and connections

21 November 1825
Dr. David Harkness (30) dies
Dr. David Harkness (30) dies and Elizabeth is left to care for Stephen V. and Daniel M. and returns to Hopewell(Salem?), New York where she marries Rev. Isaac Flagler.
1830
Birth of Henry Morrison Flagler
Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was an American industrialist and a founder of Standard Oil, which was first based in Ohio.
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1830
Henry Morrison Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York
In 1830 Henry Morrison Flagler was born Jan. 2 in Hopewell, New York, described as Daniel M. Harkness’s younger half-brother.
From the story: The Harkness/Flagler Timeline
1833-12-09
Mary Harkness Flagler born
Born in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio, USA.
1837
Daniel M. Harkness chose to move to Bellevue, Ohio instead of relocating with the Isaac Flagler family
In 1837, when Isaac Flagler’s family moved to Toledo, Ohio, Daniel M. Harkness instead decided to move to Bellevue, Ohio to live with his paternal uncle Lamon G. (LG) Harkness.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1844
Daniel M. Harkness encouraged Henry M. Flagler (14) to leave Hopewell and join him in Republic
Daniel M. Harkness encouraged his younger half-brother Henry M. Flagler (14) to leave Hopewell and join him in Republic, which Henry M. Flagler (14) did in 1844.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1844
Daniel M. Harkness and Henry M. Flagler (14) moved to Bellevue, Ohio to pursue grain and distillery business
Daniel M. Harkness and Henry M. Flagler (14) moved to Bellevue, Ohio after working in Republic, Ohio, to become more involved in the grain and distillery business.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1849
Daniel M. Harkness marries Isabella Harkness
Henry Flagler (19) and his first wife Mary Harkness (married 1853) and her sister Isabella Harkness (seated) who married Henry’s half-brother Daniel M. Harkness in 1849.
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1850s
Henry Morrison Flagler and Daniel M. Harkness started a grain business and distillery in Bellevue, Ohio
Later, Henry Morrison Flagler and Daniel M. Harkness started a grain business and distillery with their uncle Lamon in Bellevue, Ohio, making a small fortune distilling whiskey.
From the story: Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family
1853
Henry Flagler (23) marries Mary Harkness
Henry Flagler (23) and his first wife Mary Harkness (married 1853) ...
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1855
Jennie Louise was born March 18
In 1855 Flagler’s first child, Jennie Louise, was born March 18.
From the story: The Harkness/Flagler Timeline
1859
Henry Flagler (29) builds the Gingerbread House
Henry built the Gingerbread House in 1859 for his wife Mary; Will later inherited it from his father Dan.
From the story: The Day Henry Flagler and Will Harkness returned to Bellevue, Ohio
1862
Henry Morrison Flagler (32) returned to Bellevue, Ohio after the salt business failed
In 1862, the salt business failed; Henry Morrison Flagler (32) first returned to Bellevue and then moved to Cleveland, where he shared office space with John D. Rockefeller (23).
From the story: Start Here: Scandal, Success, Oil and Steam: The Incredible Story of Henry Flagler and the Harkness Family
1862
Henry M. Flagler (32) failed in the salt business and Daniel M. Harkness later lent him money to bail him out
After Henry M. Flagler (32) went into the salt business in Michigan and later returned having lost a substantial salt mine investment, Daniel M. Harkness helped bail him out by lending him money.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1863
The Enrollment Act of 1863 provided for substitutes; Henry M. Flagler (33) used the option
The story states that after Daniel M. Harkness served, the Enrollment Act of 1863 allowed a draftee to pay a substitute enrollee $300; Henry M. Flagler (33) and John D. Rockefeller (24) took this option while helping the war effort.
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1866
Henry M. Flagler (36) moved to Cleveland in 1866
Flagler then moved to Cleveland in 1866, thinking he would have better opportunities in a larger city; he had an office in the same building as John D. Rockefeller (27).
From the story: Daniel M. Harkness
1867
John D. Rockefeller (28), Daniel M. Harkness, Henry M. Flagler (37), and Stephen V. Harkness (49) unite firms to form Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler
The article states that in the year 1867 the firms of William Rockefeller & Co., Rockefeller & Andrews, Rockefeller & Co., and S. V. Harkness and H. M. Flagler united in forming the firm of Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler.
From the story: John D. Rockefeller & The Standard Oil Partners: Flagler and Harkness
1870
John D. Rockefeller (31), Henry M. Flagler (40), and Stephen V. Harkness (52) found Standard Oil
The article’s editor’s note states that in 1870 the five founding partners formed Standard Oil to allow in more investors and grow the company even larger; elsewhere it states that Henry M. Flagler (40) officially founded Standard Oil side-by-side with John D. Rockefeller (31).
From the story: John D. Rockefeller & The Standard Oil Partners: Flagler and Harkness
2 December 1870
Son Harry Harkness Flagler Born
Henry's first and only son, Harry, is born.
1877
Henry M. Flagler (47) and Mary Harkness Flagler (44) moved to New York City as Standard Oil headquarters relocated
In 1877, Standard Oil moved its headquarters to New York City, and the Flagler family’s time in New York began at The Buckingham Hotel next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral before later moving to The Windsor Hotel.
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1877-1878
Henry Flagler (47) family wintered in St. Augustine, Florida
During the winter of 1877-1878, Henry Flagler (47), Mary Harkness Flagler (44), Harry Hinckley, Jennie Flagler, and Carrie Flagler spent the winter in St. Augustine, Florida.
From the story: St. Augustine, Florida – Flagler’s start in Florida
1878
Henry Morrison Flagler (48) and Mary visited Jacksonville for the winter
In 1878, upon advice from Mary Flagler (45)’s physician, Henry Morrison Flagler (48) and his wife visited Jacksonville, Florida for the winter.
From the story: The Harkness/Flagler Timeline
1881
Henry Flagler (51) rented a beach house on Orient Point in Mamaroneck, New York
To be closer to his family after Mary Harkness Flagler (48)’s death, Henry Flagler (51) rented a beach house on 28 acres at Orient Point in Mamaroneck, New York.
From the story: Flagler’s Satanstoe aka “Lawn Beach” Retreat
1881
Henry M. Flagler (51) asked Carrie (aunt of Harry Harkness Flagler) to become Harry Harkness Flagler’s caregiver
Henry M. Flagler (51) asked his sister Carrie (aunt of Harry Harkness Flagler) to become Harry Harkness Flagler’s caregiver and raise him.
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1881-05-18
Mary Flagler (47) dies
Two years after his first wife died in 1881, he married again.
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1882
Henry Flagler (52) bought Satanstoe (Lawn Beach) in Mamaroneck, New York
In 1882, Henry Flagler (52) bought Satanstoe, also known as Lawn Beach—a forty-room home on 32 acres in Mamaroneck, New York for $125,000, creating a family atmosphere after Mary Harkness Flagler’s death.
From the story: St. Augustine, Florida – Flagler’s start in Florida
1 June 1882
Henry buys Satanstoe in Mamaroneck, NY
After his wife Mary passed away, Flagler buys Satanstoe (named after the area in Westchester and James Fenimore Coopers Manuscript of the same name) for $125,000 as a retreat from busy New York - by Jan 2, 1885 and spends an additional $330,000 on the property renovating it. He felt obliged to spend more time with his family in a bucolic setting after spending so much of his time busy with Standard Oil. Ida Alice Shourds (33) is there with him.
1882-1883
Henry M. Flagler (52) spent the winter of 1882-1883 in St. Augustine
Henry M. Flagler (52) spent the winter of 1882–1883 in St. Augustine, became interested in the historic city, and became interested in its potential as a winter resort for wealthy northerners.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1882-1883
Henry M. Flagler (52) became impressed by the poured concrete construction method of Franklin Smith's Villa Zorayda
Henry M. Flagler (52) was particularly impressed with the poured concrete construction method of Franklin Smith's Villa Zorayda and offered to buy it for his wife; Franklin Smith would not sell.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1883
Henry Flagler (53) married Ida Alice Shourds (35)
In 1883, Henry Flagler (53) married Ida Alice Shourds (35), who had been Mary Harkness Flagler’s lady’s maid and nurse.
From the story: St. Augustine, Florida – Flagler’s start in Florida
1885
Henry M. Flagler (55) returned to St. Augustine in 1885
Henry M. Flagler (55) returned to St. Augustine in 1885 and made Franklin Smith an offer: if Smith could raise $50,000, Flagler would invest $150,000 and they would build a hotel together.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1885
Henry M. Flagler (55) began construction of the Ponce de León Hotel by himself
When Franklin Smith could not come up with the funds, Henry M. Flagler (55) began construction of the Ponce de León Hotel by himself, spending several times his original estimate. Franklin Smith helped train masons on mixing and pouring techniques used on the Villa Zorayda.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1887
Henry M. Flagler (57)'s Ponce de León Hotel was completed in 1887
The Ponce de León Hotel project was completed in 1887.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1888
Henry M. Flagler (58)'s Ponce de León Hotel opened on January 10, 1888
The Ponce de Leon Hotel opened on January 10, 1888.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1889
Jennie died on her way to St. Augustine to visit Henry M. Flagler (59)
Harry Harkness Flagler’s sister Jennie died on her way to St. Augustine to visit Henry M. Flagler (59).
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1890
Henry builds a church and Flagler Columbarium in St. Augustine for Jenny
After his daughter Jenny and her child died, Henry built a church and Flagler Columbarium in St Augustine, Florida in her honor and relocated Jenny, his wife Mary, and other family there.
From the story: The Day Henry Flagler and Will Harkness returned to Bellevue, Ohio
1890
Henry M. Flagler (60) opened another hotel in St. Augustine after two years
Within two years of opening the Ponce de León Hotel, Henry M. Flagler (60) opened another hotel in St. Augustine, the Alcazar.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1890
Henry Flagler (60) hired John M. Carrere and Thomas Hastings to build the Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1890
The article states that Henry Flagler (60) hired renowned architects John M. Carrere and Thomas Hastings to build the Venetian Renaissance Revival-style church in 1890, and that Jennie Louise Flagler Benedict, her daughter Marjorie Flagler, Henry Flagler (60), and Henry Flagler (60)’s first wife Mary Harkness Flagler are laid to rest in the mausoleum.
From the story: Flagler Mausoleum – St. Augustine, FL
1892
Henry M. Flagler (62) invited Harry Harkness Flagler to work at his hotels in St. Augustine
In 1892, after dropping out of Princeton, Henry M. Flagler (62) invited Harry Harkness Flagler to work at his hotels in St. Augustine to learn hotel management and railroads.
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1893
Henry M. Flagler (63) announced Harry Harkness Flagler would take over responsibilities for all three hotels
One year later, Henry M. Flagler (63) announced that Harry Harkness Flagler would be taking over responsibilities for all three of his hotels, starting with the Hotel Ponce de Leon.
From the story: Harry Harkness Flagler
1894
Henry Flagler (64) builds the Hotel Royal Poinciana
In 1894, Henry Flagler (64) built his first Palm Beach hotel, the Hotel Royal Poinciana, which had over 1,100 rooms and was described as the largest wooden structure in the world at the time.
From the story: Palm Beach, Florida – Flagler’s Vision
5 August 1896
Daniel M. Harkness dies
Daniel M. Harkness, Henry Flaglers half-brother, dies in Bellevue, Ohio at age 73
1901
Flagler marries Mary Lily Kenan
On August 24, 1901, 10 days after his divorce, Flagler married Mary Lily Kenan at her family’s plantation, Liberty Hall, and the couple soon moved into their new Palm Beach estate, Whitehall...
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
1901
Henry Morrison Flagler (71) divorces Ida Alice Shourds (53)
The marriage to Ida Alice Shourds (53) ended in divorce in 1901, before Henry married Mary Lily Kenan that August.
From the story: Henry M. Flagler
16 May 1902
Henry builds Whitehall for Mary Lily as a wedding present
Henry decided Mary Lily needed a wedding present. By that time he had decided to develop Palm Beach and built her a Florida Palace to winter in for just 8 weeks a year. So he built Whitehall. In March 30, 1902, a story in the New York Herald described Whitehall, the Palm Beach home of Henry Flagler (72) as, More wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world...Flagler built the 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion, Whitehall, as a wedding present for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. The couple used the home as a winter retreat from 1902 until Flagler's death in 1913, establishing the Palm Beach season for the wealthy of the Gilded Age. Flagler commissioned the same architects responsible for his Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, John Carrere and Thomas Hastings, to design Whitehall. Carrere and Hastings, each trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, apprenticed at the New York firm of McKim, Mead and White, were practitioners of the Beaux Arts style of architecture made popular at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. These architects also collaborated on the design for other Gilded Age landmarks such as the New York Public Library and the Fifth Avenue mansion of Henry Clay Frick.
1910s-1920s
Henry M. Flagler saw declining visitor numbers for the Ponce de León Hotel during the 1910s and 1920s
The hotel saw declining visitor numbers throughout the 1910s and 1920s, with one major cause being the continuous extension of Henry M. Flagler's railway that allowed tourists to vacation further south.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1913
Henry Flagler (83) died
Henry Flagler (83) died in 1913; his will left his son, Harry Harkness Flagler, only a small portion and left the largest part of his fortune to his third wife, Mary Lily Kenan.
Ends 60 years of marriage (1853–1913)
From the story: Where did all the money go?
1916
Mary Lily Kenan remarried in 1916
After Henry Flagler’s death, Mary Lily Kenan inherited property including Satanstoe, Whitehall in Palm Beach, and Kirkside in St. Augustine; she later remarried in 1916.
From the story: Flagler’s Satanstoe aka “Lawn Beach” Retreat
1916
Mary Lily Flagler received a Pullman car delivered in July 1916
The article states that Mary Lily Flagler had a Pullman car delivered in July 1916.
From the story: Railcars #90 and #91 – Henry Flagler’s “Jets”
1917
Mary Lily Flagler died in July 1917
The article states that Mary Lily Flagler would pass away just one year later in July of 1917.
From the story: Railcars #90 and #91 – Henry Flagler’s “Jets”
1936
Mary Lily Flagler’s railcar Whitehall was converted to tourist car #2121 in 1936
The article states that in 1936 Whitehall was converted to a less glamorous TC (tourist car), #2121, and resold, possibly to Southern Pacific Railroad.
From the story: Railcars #90 and #91 – Henry Flagler’s “Jets”
1941
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel served as a Coast Guard training center in May 1941 and afterward
St. Augustine is described as the birthplace of the Coast Guard Reserve, with one of the first classes to graduate from Reserve officer training doing so in May 1941. From 1942 until the end of the war in 1945, thousands of recruits received basic and advanced training at the hotel.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1942-1945
Jacob Lawrence trained at Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel during World War II
From 1942 through 1945, Jacob Lawrence received training at the Ponce de Leon Hotel (commandeered by the Coast Guard) after his basic training at Curtis Bay, Maryland.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1945
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel returned to hotel operation after World War II
After the war ended, the building was deactivated by the Coast Guard and returned to operation as a hotel.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
29 December 1954
Mrs. Jean Flagler Matthews saves Whitehall
Mrs. Jean Flagler Matthews saved Whitehall, Flaglers winter home in Palm Beach, from the wrecking ball. Flagler built the 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion, Whitehall, as a wedding present for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. The couple used the home as a winter retreat from 1902 until Flagler's death in 1913, establishing the Palm Beach season for the wealthy of the Gilded Age. Flagler auto https://images.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2017/57/92377553_1488224276.jpg
1967
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel was permanently closed in 1967
In 1967, the Ponce de Leon Hotel was permanently closed.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1968
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel became the centerpiece of Flagler College in 1968
In 1968, the hotel became the centerpiece of the newly established Flagler College.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1975
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975
The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
1988
Flagler College celebrated the centennial of Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel in 1988
In 1988, Flagler College celebrated the centennial of the Ponce de Leon Hotel.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler
2006
Henry M. Flagler's Ponce de León Hotel became a U.S. National Historic Landmark on February 21, 2006
A decade later from Flagler's Legacy program, and separately, the building became a U.S. National Historic Landmark on February 21, 2006.
From the story: Ponce de León Hotel – Henry Flagler

Mary Harkness Flagler

Stories featuring Mary Harkness Flagler

Edward Harkness first to meet King Tut

Robber Baron – Yes or No?

Flagler’s Satanstoe aka “Lawn Beach” Retreat

Where did all the money go?

The Gold Coast of Long Island and Harkness

Golf and Fishing – Ned Harkness

Stevana – Ned and Mary’s yacht

The Tragic Life of Ida Alice Shourds Flagler: Madness, Money, and a $300 Million Divorce

Edward S. Harkness gives away the family fortune

Harkness House, New York, NY

Harkness Memorial Presbyterian – Bellevue, Ohio

The Day Henry Flagler and Will Harkness returned to Bellevue, Ohio