Frederick W. Flagge, M. D.

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Other men’s service to the people and the State can be measured by definite deeds, by dangers averted, by legislation secured, by institutions built, by commerce promoted. The work of a doctor is entirely estranged from these lines of enterprise yet without his capable, health-giving assistance all other accomplishments would count for naught. Man’s greatest prize on earth is physical health and vigor; nothing deteriorates mental activity so quickly as prolonged sickness, hence the broad field for human hopefulness afforded in the medical profession. The successful doctor requires something more than mere technical training, he must be a man of broad human sympathy and genial kindliness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart of his patient. Such a man is he whose name initiates this article. Dr. FLAGGE has been located in Rockaway for nearly two score years and time tells the tale of an eminently successful career, due to innate talent and acquired ability along the line of his chosen work.

In New York City, July 25, 1858, occurred the birth of Dr. Frederick W. FLAGGE. His father, Francis Henry FLAGGE, was born in Germany and came to America at the age of eighteen years. He was a miller by occupation, and in 1868 was elected a member of the New York State legislature, serving in that capacity with the utmost satisfaction to his constituents for several terms. The mother of Dr. FLAGGE was Mena (FISHER) FLAGGE, a native of New York, and she bore her husband three children:

Henry, now a resident of Blauvelt, New York;
Matilda, wife of Charles OTTEN;
Frederick W., of this sketch.

The primary education of Dr. FLAGGE was obtained in the New York public schools. In youth he decided upon the medical profession as his life work and he obtained training for the same in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in which excellent institution he was under the personal instruction of Professor James LITTLE. He was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in the class of 1880, and for a short period of time thereafter pursued a special course under Drs. Alfred L. LOOMIS and George WHEELOCK. His first independent work as a doctor was done in New York City, where he practiced with a fair success for two years, at the end of which time he came to Rockaway, where he has since maintained his home and professional headquarters. Here he is a surgeon on the staff of the Memorial Hospital, on the auxiliary staff of All Souls Hospital, and local examiner for the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is also consulting surgeon to St. Mary’s Hospital at Denville, New Jersey, and surgeon of New Jersey Central Railroad. In connection with his work he is a valued and appreciative member of the Morris County Medical Society, being ex-president of the same; and he is a permanent delegate to the New Jersey State Medical Society, and treasurer of Tri-county Medical Association. He is likewise connected with the American Medical Association and with the Morristown Medical Club.

In politics Dr. FLAGGE is an unswerving Democrat and he takes an active part in civic affairs. He was one of the first councilman of Rockaway borough and is a member of the township board of health. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Citizens Lodge, No. 144, I. O. O. F., in which he has been noble grand; and with the R. A., and B. P. O. E. He is a member of the White Meadow Club and president of the Rockaway Club. From the foregoing it will be seen that Dr. FLAGGE holds distinctive prestige as one of the foremost citizens of Rockaway and proof of his skill as a physician and surgeon is attested by his large and lucrative practice.

Dr. FLAGGE has been thrice married. January 26, 1881, he wed Anna S. WEBSTER, whose demise occurred July 29, 1891. He married Bertha GAGE, daughter of Justice C. B. GAGE, of Dover, New Jersey, September 6, 1893. This union was prolific of one daughter, Rebecca. For his third wife Dr. FLAGGE married Ludmila HUSSA, daughter of Oscar HUSSA, this ceremony having been performed in 1907. Dr. and Mrs. FLAGGE have one daughter, Ludmila.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).