“Harlan, Edgar Rubey. 
A Narrative History of the People of Iowa.
 Vol III. Chicago: American Historical Society,  1931
 p. 395     JOHN JOSEPH FLEMING was active in the banking affairs of the City of Burlington for over half a century. He was a man distinguished by his interests and associations throughout Iowa. Mr. Fleming was born at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, March 19, 1851, son of Michael and Virgette (Maher) Fleming. His father was born in County Cork, and his mother in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and they were married in New Orleans. At Donaldsonville Michael Fleming conducted a stave and barrel factory. In 1859 he moved his family to Burlington, Iowa, where for ten years he was in the grocery business. He also served several years as judge of the Municipal Court. He died in 1890 and his wife in 1888.
     John Joseph Fleming was eight years old when the family came to Burlington. He was educated in parochial and public schools, attended Notre Dame University in Indiana, and his first business experience  was as chief clerk in the treasurer's office of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. He also acted as paymaster. About 1875 this road was merged with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Mr. Fleming soon afterwards left its service to become bookkeeper in the National State Bank. He was with that institution consecutively for twenty-six years, becoming assistant cashier and cashier. In 1901 he left the bank to take up his duties as executor for the estate of Charles W. Rand and trustee for Carrie A. Rand. He continued active in the management of the properties of this estate for many years. In 1908 he became vice president of the Burlington Savings Bank, after five years was made president and from 1924 was chairman of the board of directors. He was also a member of the firm Fleming & Riling, insurance and real estate, a business that has been in operation since 1910.”