T. M. Lynn

LYNN, SKILLMAN, WETZEL

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 08:03:31

T. M. LYNN is a well known dental surgeon of Grundy Centre. He was born in Bedford County, Pa., May 4, 1850, and is a son of James F. and Violinda (Skillman) Lynn. The father was a professor in a college in Virginia, and through part of his life he also followed farming. He was born and reared in Loudoun County, and married a daughter of Abraham Skillman, who was a Captain in the War of 1812. Our subject’s father’s death occurred in the county of his nativity, October 29, 1864. His widow still survives him and is now living in Richmond, Va.

The Doctor was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father’s death. He acquired his literary education in private schools of the Old Dominion, and in 1869 entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the oldest dental college in the world, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1871. He then located in Middleburg, Va., where he continued to practice until November, 1874, when, believing that the west furnished better opportunities, he came to Grundy Centre. Hi s skill as a dentist is well known, and has won from the public a liberal patronage.

On the 17th of December, 1879, Doctor Lynn was united in marriage with Miss Annie C. Wetzel, daughter of Rev. Paul Wetzel, who was at that time a resident of this county, but is now living in McPherson, Kan., occupying the pulpit of the German Baptist Church. He is also Vice-President of the Sumner County National Bank, of Wellington, Kan. He was born and reared in Germany, and on crossing the Atlantic to America, located first in Pennsylvania. Subsequently he removed to Lee County, Ill., thence to Stephenson County, and then came to Grundy county, Iowa, in the spring of 1878. Locating in Clay Township, he engaged in farming and preaching. About two years ago he removed to Kansas.

In politics Doctor Lynn is a supporter of Democratic principles, and during President Cleveland’s first administration he served as Postmaster of Grundy Centre. In the spring of 1881 he was elected Mayor for one year, and on the expiration of his term was renominated, but lost the election by a single vote. In the fall of 1883 he ran for Representative on the Democratic ticket, and though defeated he reduced the Republican majority from five hundred to one hundred, a fact which illustrates his popularity and the high regard in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. He is one of the leading members of the Democracy of this county, and for several years was Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee. He has served for twelve terms as a delegate to the Democratic State Conventions. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity.

Doctor and Mrs. Lynn have three sons: Paul Wetzel, a lad of thirteen; Lloyd M., ten years of age; and Earl, who has seen eight summers. The home is a beautiful and substantial residence of nine rooms, tastefully furnished. There is a good barn upon the place, and the inmates of the household are surrounded with the comforts of life. The Doctor has been successful in his dealings, and has acquired considerable property. He is a stockholder in the National Bank of Wellington, Kan., and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Washington Township, Grundy County, two and one-fourth miles from the city limits. His farm is under a high state of cultivation, and is well improved with all modern accessories. His dental parlors are located in the First National Bank building. The apartments are two well fitted rooms, supplied with every convenience and accessory found in a dental office. The Doctor is a member of the Iowa State Dental Association, and was elected its Vice-President in May, 1880.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894