Franklin Bryce Linn
| Franklin Bryce Linn | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 16, 1873 Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Died | 1946 |
| Resting place | Shelby Township Cemetery[1], Shelby, Iowa, USA |
| Spouse | Hannah Elizabeth Walker (m. 1898) |
| Children |
Harry Deforest Linn Dwight Russel Linn Lily Gladys Linn Laura Lavina Linn Hugh Alva Linn Jacob Bryce Linn Mary Fern Linn Franklin John Linn Leslie Leonard Linn Samuel Dale Linn Everette Edward Linn |
| Parents |
Jacob Booher Linn Hester Ann Chilcoat |
| Relatives |
Ambrose Burnside Linn (brother) McKendree Linn (brother) Monroe Linn (brother) Anna Laura Linn (sister) Walter McKnight Linn (brother) Willie Linn (brother) Hugh Harrison Linn (brother) |
Reference in Clan Linn in the Twentieth Century
Franklin Byce Linn (h776), son of Jacob B. Linn and Hester Chilcoat, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania on 16 July 1873. When Frank was less than one year of age his father, Jacob Linn, moved his family to a one hundred twenty acre farm northwest of Shelby, Iowa. This farm, purchased for fifteen dollars per acre, remained in the Linn family for nearly one hundred twenty years, selling in 1991, then a full quarter section, for fifteen hundred dollars per acre!
In 1881, Jacob Linn and several of his sons homesteaded land in Hand County, South Dakota. Much shuttling back and forth between Iowa and South Dakota took place during the 1880's and early 90's. Frank eventually became operator of the Shelby farm, while his brothers: Ambrose, Kenny, and Roy became permanent residents of South Dakota. Frank had also taken a homestead in South Dakota, which he held until April 1906, selling the quarter section for a profit of eleven hundred fifty dollars! Frank married Hannah Elizabeth (Libbie) Walker on 7 December 1898. Libbie Walker was born on 10 January 1875. She was the granddaughter of Samuel Walker and Elizabeth Stover Walker, early settlers of Johnson County, Iowa.
In the early days Frank took several trips across the prairie from Shelby to western South Dakota in a covered wagon. These trips made an indelible impression upon him. He clearly remembered the wagon trails; late in his life when he returned by automobile over modern, improved roads he could still point out places of interest and identify old wagon trails as he crossed them.
One of his special interests in life was the collection of rocks and fossils which he accumulated over the years. The rocks, along with his collection of Indian relics and artifacts, made a display which filled three large glass display cases in the living room! He was a firm believer in education, encouraging everyone to become as educated as possible. Each year Frank invited a Shelby High School class to his home to discuss the origin of his relics and led discussions on rock formations, Indian history, and the winning of the west. As a young man he was a public school teacher, and he later served many years as a director of the local country school. After consolidation of the Shelby School District, Frank was a member of the school board; he was board president when the present school building was erected. Frank was also instrumental in the construction of the Methodist church which still stands in Shelby. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and the Republican Party.
One day Frank drove his horses to Shelby and left them standing on Main Street while he attended to his business. When Frank returned to the street a few moments later, the team was no place to be seen! Immediately Frank and several friends began to search frantically for the lost team and wagon. They were soon found placidly standing in front of the Methodist Church several blocks away; the horses were so accustomed to being driven to the church that they automatically went there without being so ordered. And no wonder; he was active in church events. At various times he was superintendent of the Shelby Sunday School, Sunday School teacher, steward, and a long-time member of the official board.
Frank especially enjoyed growing things. Many plants and tress still thriving in the Shelby cemetery and Methodist Church grounds were planted by Frank Linn. He was a director of the Shelby Cemetery for many years. He built a small pond at the cemetery, using many rocks and minerals from his own collection. The colorful display still draws interest after seventy-five years in existence. Frank died at age seventy-two, while still very active in family and community affairs. Frank and Elizabeth had eleven children.
Marketing for Frank's unsuccessful bid for US Congress
Handwriting of Frank Linn
The following handwritten speech was prepared by Frank around 1920 as a commencement speech for a graduating high school class.
