John W. Fling, Jr., one of the leading attorneys at the Stark county bar, is the only representative of his profession Wyoming. He was born in Cumberland, Marion county, Indiana, on the 22d of January, 1878, a son of John w. and Rebecca (Bolander) Fling, likewise natives of that place. The father engaged in farming in Indiana until 1885, when he came to Stark county, Illinois, and took up his residence at Wyoming. For many years he has served as a section hand for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, making an excellent record for the efficiency in that connection.
     John W. Fling, Jr., was graduated from the Wyoming high school in 1898 and for three years thereafter followed the profession of teaching. Having determined to make the practice of law his life work, he pursued his legal studies under the direction of F. a. Kerns and on the 13th of May, 1903, was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Illinois. On the 1st of July of that year he was taken into partnership by his former preceptor and this relation was maintained until May, 1912. In November of that year our subject was elected state’s attorney for Stark county and his record in that connection reflects credit upon his legal knowledge, his aggressiveness and his power of convincing argument. He has built up a large and representative private practice and his ability is recognized not only by the general public but also by his professional brethren.
     Mr. Fling was married November 22, 1904, to Miss Mamie McClyment, also a native of this county and likewise a graduate of the Wyoming high school. They have a son, Richard A.
     Mr. Fling has given careful study to the problems of government and is convinced that the policies of the Republican party are best calculated to secure the permanent prosperity of the country. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he belongs to the local lodges of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He realizes the importance of good schools in a democracy and as president of the board of education has done much to bring about the advancement of the local schools. He is an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln and has collected what is probably the largest Lincoln library in the state. The gratifying success which he has gained is especially noteworthy in that he has depended entirely upon his own resources and upon well directed industry in the struggle for professional advancement.