Flaherty was born on July 3, 1853, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Irish immigrants.

Flaherty practiced law for sixty-two years in Philadelphia as a lawyer specializing in settlement cases in the Orphan Court.

He received many honors for his work and that of the Knights, including the Croix de Guerre from the government of France.

He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Secretary of War Newton D.

[2][3] Flaherty died from pneumonia at his home on the evening of January 2, 1937.