W P Linn

LINN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/20/2010 at 14:13:29

W P Linn has held the office of postmaster in Pilot Mound for five years but as recently resigned that position and as soon as his successor is appointed will again turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, with which he was formerly identified for many years. He has spent his entire life within the borders of Boone county, his birth having occurred Pilot Mound township on July 14, 1855. His parents. Gust and Catherine (Lundblad) Linn, were natives of Sweden who on emigrating to the United States in 1852 came directly to Boone county, Iowa. The father, a carpenter by trade, he worked at his occupation for some time as twenty-five cents a day. Subsequently he purchased landing Pilot Mound township, improved the property and there carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command for about two years. He underwent all of the dangers and exposure of warfare and for fourteen months was held a prisoner at Tyler, Texas. His demise occurred o October 9, 1897, after residence of forty-five years in this county, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. On January 15, 1912, his wife was called to her final rest.
W P Linn attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and remained on the home farm with his parents until twenty-two years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for three years and on the expiration of that period purchased 80 acres of the old homestead in Pilot Mound township. he improved the property and afterward bought and additional tract of 78 acres, while later he purchased 40 acres more General agricultural pursuits claimed his time and energies until 1908, when he disposed of his property and came to Pilot Mound, where he was appointed postmaster and has capably served in that capacity continuously since. He has recently resigned the office, however, and intends to begin farming again as soon as his successor is appointed.
On March 10, 1880, Mr Linn was united in marriage to Miss Florence Wilson, a daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Ball) Wilson, both Ohio were natives of England. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Boone county, Iowa, and here the father devoted his attention to farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in October 1865. His wife, surviving him for more than four decades, as called to her final rest on January 29, 1906. Unto Mr and Mrs Linn have been born seven children, as follows: Robert R who is employed by the John Deer Plow company of Des Moines, Iowa, Floyd S who is n the service of the Randall Lumber Company and also resides in Des Moines, Alva c and Guy G both of whom follow farming in Pilot Mound township, Ivy F at home and two who died in infancy.
Mr Linn has always exercised his right of franchise in the interests of the republican party and for fourteen years acted as a trustee of Pilot Mound township, while he has also done able service as a member of the town council and as a school director. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Through his enterprise he has won financial success and through his fidelity to up right principles he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.

1914 Boone Count History Book