Isaac Fleener was born August 22, 1827 on his father's farm in Washington County, Indiana to John "Johannes" Fleener and his 2nd wife, Mary Gibson/Grisamore. He was one of 24 children of his father's and John's three wives. Isaac's mother died when he was only 2 years old.

The area where Isaac was born was near Salem, in a heavy timber section, with the nearest neighbor 15 miles away. His father was" a successful hunter, and as all sorts of game was plentiful his family was well supplied with the best of meats. He lived to the great age of ninety-two years. He was a Presbyterian in his religious faith and possessed ail the virtues of an old-time American pioneer."

The home where Isaac was raised was built of brick, a very uncommon thing in Indiana at that date. "Isaac received the limited education afforded in the primitive pioneer schools, and was trained to the details of agriculture on his father's farm. When a young man of twenty-two, in 1848, he entered 160 acres of land in Des Moines County, Iowa, and was therefore one of the earliest settlers of the State." He resided on this farm until 1874.

Isaac married Permelia Gallaher, in Des Moines County, Iowa. Permelia was the daughter of George and Amanda (Williams) Gallaher. The ancestors of the Gallahers wore Scotch people who settled in Tennessee, were also pioneers of Illinois, and among the first settlers of Des Moines County, coming there early in the thirties.

In 1874 the Fleener family moved to Page County, Iowa, where they settled on a 320 acre farm. It was then in a wild, state, but by energetic management he converted it into a valuable farm with excellent improvements. In later years, Isaac and Permelia moved to Nebraska

Isaac and Permelia were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder. "He is a man who has always taken an active interest in educational and religious matters, and has contributed liberally of his means to the erection and support of the church. He is a man of unquestioned reputation, with a keen sense of honor and justice."

Isaac and Permelia were parents of 5 children: John, Lorinda (DeKay), Charles, Levina (Balard) and Janie (Lamborne).