Stratford Courier
May 23, 1907
Obituary
Rev. John Linn
The people of Stratford and vicinity were made sad Tuesday morning when the news spread of the death of "Father" Linn. It was generally known he was sick, but none thought the end so near. The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia and the duration of his illness covering a period of about ten days. About two weeks ago he attended a ministerial meeting at Des Moines and during the cold damp weather contracted a severe cold. A few days after his arrival home he was confined to his bed from which he never arose. Medical aid was in vain and the Master took his soul to Heaven.
Rev. John Linn was born in Småland, Jönköpings län, Sweden May 29, 1826 and died at his home here, May 17, 1907 at the ripe old age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days. At the age of three years his father died and his mother remarried. He was confirmed at the age of sixteen in the Lutheran church. In 1848 he was married to Mary E. Sombers and in the same year came to this country, their destination being Swede Bend, Iowa. They made their homes in Webster and Boone counties for several years and in 1853 his wife died leaving two children, Mrs. P.J. Berg, now deceased, and Mrs. Mary Orman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1853, Rev. Linn was again married, his second wife being Sarah Swenson. They moved from Boone county to Webster county in 1855, and remained there until 1869. Four children were born to this second union, all of whom are now living, Mrs. Lewis Fallein of Stratford, Mrs. August Peterson of Slater, Mrs. J.F. Anderson of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Wm. Ringquist of Stratford. He gave his heart to God at a basket meeting in Hardin county and being a gifted orator he began at once preaching the word of God. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference of the M.E. church and held charges three years at Moline and Genesco, Illinois. For three years he also held pastorates at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874 he was appointed presiding elder over Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, with headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church and lived three years. He moved to Sheldahl in 1878 and during his five years as presiding elder organized churches in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He also served the Swede Bend congregation three different times. In 1880, while at Sheldahl, he was placed on the superannuated list and in 1882-3 he acted as supply minister at Des Moines and Sheldahl after being superannuated. In May 1899 he moved to Stratford, where he had made his home ever since. He was called to mourn the death of his wife in December 1890. In the early days he held many offices of trust and proved himself a man of ability and showed active interest in the development of the new country.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon tat 1 o'clock from the house where a few words were spoken and the remains were taken to the Swedish M.E. church in South Marion, where Presiding Elder Anderson had charge of the services and preached the funeral sermon. Rev. O.R. Palm and P.J. Berg talked of his life's work.
Revs. A.P. Martin, C.G. Bengston, Olof Granberg of Sheldahl, Freeman of Boxholm, P.J. Berg of Harcourt and O.R. Palm were the pall bearers. Many flowers were the witness to the memory of a grand old man and the attendance at the funeral, which was the largest ever held in that church, also testifies to the love which his friends had for him. The interment was made in the Olson cemetery and to this, his last resting place, many witnessed the last sad rites performed. With the words, "dust to dust and earth to earth," one of the noblest of men was laid away to await God's call. Peace be to his ashes.
The Dayton Review
May 23, 1907
Rev. John Linn's Labors Over
The death of Rev. John Linn last Friday at the home of his daughter in Stratford takes from earth another of the earliest pioneers whose earnest labors laid the first foundation steps for the development of this region. He was born May 29, 1826, in Smäland, Jönköpings Län, Sweden, being 80 years, 11 months, 16 days of age at his death. He grew to manhood in his native land, his father dying when he was only three years old. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church at the age of 16, and married in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Sombers. Together they came to America the same year to start their young lives in the great west, locating at Swede Bend, where the wife died in 1853, leaving two daughters, one of who, Mrs. P. J. Berg, died two years ago. He was married again December 25, 1853 to Miss Sarah Svenson, to which union four daughters were born, who together with one daughter by his first wife survive to mourn his death.
He was converted to the belief of the M.E. Church at a basket meeting in Hardin County, and a once entered the work of the ministry, being one of active pioneer preachers of the Swedish M.E. Church in this section during the struggling times of the early settlements. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference, holding charges for a number of years at Moline and Geneseo, and serving as pastor at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874, he was appointed presiding elder of the Swedish M.E. district of Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, which he held five years, organizing many churches of his nativity in these three states. He made his headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church, but in 1875 moved to Sheldahl. In 1880, he was pastor at Sheldahl and Des Moines in 1882-83. He moved to Dayton in 1888, where he lived until May 1899, when he moved to Stratford, where his wife died the following year.
Rev. John Linn was no less active in the secular than he was in the religious life of this region. He was one of the early county supervisors of Webster County, when it included Hamilton County within its territory, and held offices of trust wherever he was located. He was on the town council of this place at different times until his removal to Stratford. He was level headed, faithful to the interests of the town, and had the good faculty of being able to harmonize differences that made him an admirable trustee of the public's affairs. His funeral exercises were held Sunday afternoon from the Swedish M.E. Church at Swede Bend, the scene of his earliest labors in this country, short services having been held at the home of his daughter, where he died. Presiding Elder C.A. Anderson of Des Moines preached the sermon, his life being delineated by Rev. O. R. Palm, and his son-in-law Rev. Pl J. Berg. His remains were laid to rest in the Olson cemetery at Swede Bend beside those of his wives.
"Grandpa" Linn as he was universally known among us, was loved and respected, a faithful citizen, a loyal worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a genial neighbor, a quaint story teller, responsive in sympathy, a lover of his fellow man, no man in this community commanded the love and attachments of those among whom he lived more than he. His labor of love is over, and surely, "Well done, good and faithful servant," tells the story of his life's existence.
May 23, 1907
Obituary
Rev. John Linn
The people of Stratford and vicinity were made sad Tuesday morning when the news spread of the death of "Father" Linn. It was generally known he was sick, but none thought the end so near. The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia and the duration of his illness covering a period of about ten days. About two weeks ago he attended a ministerial meeting at Des Moines and during the cold damp weather contracted a severe cold. A few days after his arrival home he was confined to his bed from which he never arose. Medical aid was in vain and the Master took his soul to Heaven.
Rev. John Linn was born in Småland, Jönköpings län, Sweden May 29, 1826 and died at his home here, May 17, 1907 at the ripe old age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days. At the age of three years his father died and his mother remarried. He was confirmed at the age of sixteen in the Lutheran church. In 1848 he was married to Mary E. Sombers and in the same year came to this country, their destination being Swede Bend, Iowa. They made their homes in Webster and Boone counties for several years and in 1853 his wife died leaving two children, Mrs. P.J. Berg, now deceased, and Mrs. Mary Orman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1853, Rev. Linn was again married, his second wife being Sarah Swenson. They moved from Boone county to Webster county in 1855, and remained there until 1869. Four children were born to this second union, all of whom are now living, Mrs. Lewis Fallein of Stratford, Mrs. August Peterson of Slater, Mrs. J.F. Anderson of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Wm. Ringquist of Stratford. He gave his heart to God at a basket meeting in Hardin county and being a gifted orator he began at once preaching the word of God. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference of the M.E. church and held charges three years at Moline and Genesco, Illinois. For three years he also held pastorates at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874 he was appointed presiding elder over Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, with headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church and lived three years. He moved to Sheldahl in 1878 and during his five years as presiding elder organized churches in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He also served the Swede Bend congregation three different times. In 1880, while at Sheldahl, he was placed on the superannuated list and in 1882-3 he acted as supply minister at Des Moines and Sheldahl after being superannuated. In May 1899 he moved to Stratford, where he had made his home ever since. He was called to mourn the death of his wife in December 1890. In the early days he held many offices of trust and proved himself a man of ability and showed active interest in the development of the new country.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon tat 1 o'clock from the house where a few words were spoken and the remains were taken to the Swedish M.E. church in South Marion, where Presiding Elder Anderson had charge of the services and preached the funeral sermon. Rev. O.R. Palm and P.J. Berg talked of his life's work.
Revs. A.P. Martin, C.G. Bengston, Olof Granberg of Sheldahl, Freeman of Boxholm, P.J. Berg of Harcourt and O.R. Palm were the pall bearers. Many flowers were the witness to the memory of a grand old man and the attendance at the funeral, which was the largest ever held in that church, also testifies to the love which his friends had for him. The interment was made in the Olson cemetery and to this, his last resting place, many witnessed the last sad rites performed. With the words, "dust to dust and earth to earth," one of the noblest of men was laid away to await God's call. Peace be to his ashes.
The Dayton Review
May 23, 1907
Rev. John Linn's Labors Over
The death of Rev. John Linn last Friday at the home of his daughter in Stratford takes from earth another of the earliest pioneers whose earnest labors laid the first foundation steps for the development of this region. He was born May 29, 1826, in Smäland, Jönköpings Län, Sweden, being 80 years, 11 months, 16 days of age at his death. He grew to manhood in his native land, his father dying when he was only three years old. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church at the age of 16, and married in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Sombers. Together they came to America the same year to start their young lives in the great west, locating at Swede Bend, where the wife died in 1853, leaving two daughters, one of who, Mrs. P. J. Berg, died two years ago. He was married again December 25, 1853 to Miss Sarah Svenson, to which union four daughters were born, who together with one daughter by his first wife survive to mourn his death.
He was converted to the belief of the M.E. Church at a basket meeting in Hardin County, and a once entered the work of the ministry, being one of active pioneer preachers of the Swedish M.E. Church in this section during the struggling times of the early settlements. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference, holding charges for a number of years at Moline and Geneseo, and serving as pastor at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874, he was appointed presiding elder of the Swedish M.E. district of Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, which he held five years, organizing many churches of his nativity in these three states. He made his headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church, but in 1875 moved to Sheldahl. In 1880, he was pastor at Sheldahl and Des Moines in 1882-83. He moved to Dayton in 1888, where he lived until May 1899, when he moved to Stratford, where his wife died the following year.
Rev. John Linn was no less active in the secular than he was in the religious life of this region. He was one of the early county supervisors of Webster County, when it included Hamilton County within its territory, and held offices of trust wherever he was located. He was on the town council of this place at different times until his removal to Stratford. He was level headed, faithful to the interests of the town, and had the good faculty of being able to harmonize differences that made him an admirable trustee of the public's affairs. His funeral exercises were held Sunday afternoon from the Swedish M.E. Church at Swede Bend, the scene of his earliest labors in this country, short services having been held at the home of his daughter, where he died. Presiding Elder C.A. Anderson of Des Moines preached the sermon, his life being delineated by Rev. O. R. Palm, and his son-in-law Rev. Pl J. Berg. His remains were laid to rest in the Olson cemetery at Swede Bend beside those of his wives.
"Grandpa" Linn as he was universally known among us, was loved and respected, a faithful citizen, a loyal worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a genial neighbor, a quaint story teller, responsive in sympathy, a lover of his fellow man, no man in this community commanded the love and attachments of those among whom he lived more than he. His labor of love is over, and surely, "Well done, good and faithful servant," tells the story of his life's existence.
Stratford Courier
May 23, 1907
Obituary
Rev. John Linn
The people of Stratford and vicinity were made sad Tuesday morning when the news spread of the death of "Father" Linn. It was generally known he was sick, but none thought the end so near. The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia and the duration of his illness covering a period of about ten days. About two weeks ago he attended a ministerial meeting at Des Moines and during the cold damp weather contracted a severe cold. A few days after his arrival home he was confined to his bed from which he never arose. Medical aid was in vain and the Master took his soul to Heaven.
Rev. John Linn was born in Småland, Jönköpings län, Sweden May 29, 1826 and died at his home here, May 17, 1907 at the ripe old age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days. At the age of three years his father died and his mother remarried. He was confirmed at the age of sixteen in the Lutheran church. In 1848 he was married to Mary E. Sombers and in the same year came to this country, their destination being Swede Bend, Iowa. They made their homes in Webster and Boone counties for several years and in 1853 his wife died leaving two children, Mrs. P.J. Berg, now deceased, and Mrs. Mary Orman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1853, Rev. Linn was again married, his second wife being Sarah Swenson. They moved from Boone county to Webster county in 1855, and remained there until 1869. Four children were born to this second union, all of whom are now living, Mrs. Lewis Fallein of Stratford, Mrs. August Peterson of Slater, Mrs. J.F. Anderson of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Wm. Ringquist of Stratford. He gave his heart to God at a basket meeting in Hardin county and being a gifted orator he began at once preaching the word of God. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference of the M.E. church and held charges three years at Moline and Genesco, Illinois. For three years he also held pastorates at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874 he was appointed presiding elder over Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, with headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church and lived three years. He moved to Sheldahl in 1878 and during his five years as presiding elder organized churches in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He also served the Swede Bend congregation three different times. In 1880, while at Sheldahl, he was placed on the superannuated list and in 1882-3 he acted as supply minister at Des Moines and Sheldahl after being superannuated. In May 1899 he moved to Stratford, where he had made his home ever since. He was called to mourn the death of his wife in December 1890. In the early days he held many offices of trust and proved himself a man of ability and showed active interest in the development of the new country.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon tat 1 o'clock from the house where a few words were spoken and the remains were taken to the Swedish M.E. church in South Marion, where Presiding Elder Anderson had charge of the services and preached the funeral sermon. Rev. O.R. Palm and P.J. Berg talked of his life's work.
Revs. A.P. Martin, C.G. Bengston, Olof Granberg of Sheldahl, Freeman of Boxholm, P.J. Berg of Harcourt and O.R. Palm were the pall bearers. Many flowers were the witness to the memory of a grand old man and the attendance at the funeral, which was the largest ever held in that church, also testifies to the love which his friends had for him. The interment was made in the Olson cemetery and to this, his last resting place, many witnessed the last sad rites performed. With the words, "dust to dust and earth to earth," one of the noblest of men was laid away to await God's call. Peace be to his ashes.
The Dayton Review
May 23, 1907
Rev. John Linn's Labors Over
The death of Rev. John Linn last Friday at the home of his daughter in Stratford takes from earth another of the earliest pioneers whose earnest labors laid the first foundation steps for the development of this region. He was born May 29, 1826, in Smäland, Jönköpings Län, Sweden, being 80 years, 11 months, 16 days of age at his death. He grew to manhood in his native land, his father dying when he was only three years old. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church at the age of 16, and married in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Sombers. Together they came to America the same year to start their young lives in the great west, locating at Swede Bend, where the wife died in 1853, leaving two daughters, one of who, Mrs. P. J. Berg, died two years ago. He was married again December 25, 1853 to Miss Sarah Svenson, to which union four daughters were born, who together with one daughter by his first wife survive to mourn his death.
He was converted to the belief of the M.E. Church at a basket meeting in Hardin County, and a once entered the work of the ministry, being one of active pioneer preachers of the Swedish M.E. Church in this section during the struggling times of the early settlements. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference, holding charges for a number of years at Moline and Geneseo, and serving as pastor at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874, he was appointed presiding elder of the Swedish M.E. district of Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, which he held five years, organizing many churches of his nativity in these three states. He made his headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church, but in 1875 moved to Sheldahl. In 1880, he was pastor at Sheldahl and Des Moines in 1882-83. He moved to Dayton in 1888, where he lived until May 1899, when he moved to Stratford, where his wife died the following year.
Rev. John Linn was no less active in the secular than he was in the religious life of this region. He was one of the early county supervisors of Webster County, when it included Hamilton County within its territory, and held offices of trust wherever he was located. He was on the town council of this place at different times until his removal to Stratford. He was level headed, faithful to the interests of the town, and had the good faculty of being able to harmonize differences that made him an admirable trustee of the public's affairs. His funeral exercises were held Sunday afternoon from the Swedish M.E. Church at Swede Bend, the scene of his earliest labors in this country, short services having been held at the home of his daughter, where he died. Presiding Elder C.A. Anderson of Des Moines preached the sermon, his life being delineated by Rev. O. R. Palm, and his son-in-law Rev. Pl J. Berg. His remains were laid to rest in the Olson cemetery at Swede Bend beside those of his wives.
"Grandpa" Linn as he was universally known among us, was loved and respected, a faithful citizen, a loyal worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a genial neighbor, a quaint story teller, responsive in sympathy, a lover of his fellow man, no man in this community commanded the love and attachments of those among whom he lived more than he. His labor of love is over, and surely, "Well done, good and faithful servant," tells the story of his life's existence.
May 23, 1907
Obituary
Rev. John Linn
The people of Stratford and vicinity were made sad Tuesday morning when the news spread of the death of "Father" Linn. It was generally known he was sick, but none thought the end so near. The cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia and the duration of his illness covering a period of about ten days. About two weeks ago he attended a ministerial meeting at Des Moines and during the cold damp weather contracted a severe cold. A few days after his arrival home he was confined to his bed from which he never arose. Medical aid was in vain and the Master took his soul to Heaven.
Rev. John Linn was born in Småland, Jönköpings län, Sweden May 29, 1826 and died at his home here, May 17, 1907 at the ripe old age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days. At the age of three years his father died and his mother remarried. He was confirmed at the age of sixteen in the Lutheran church. In 1848 he was married to Mary E. Sombers and in the same year came to this country, their destination being Swede Bend, Iowa. They made their homes in Webster and Boone counties for several years and in 1853 his wife died leaving two children, Mrs. P.J. Berg, now deceased, and Mrs. Mary Orman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. On December 25, 1853, Rev. Linn was again married, his second wife being Sarah Swenson. They moved from Boone county to Webster county in 1855, and remained there until 1869. Four children were born to this second union, all of whom are now living, Mrs. Lewis Fallein of Stratford, Mrs. August Peterson of Slater, Mrs. J.F. Anderson of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Wm. Ringquist of Stratford. He gave his heart to God at a basket meeting in Hardin county and being a gifted orator he began at once preaching the word of God. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference of the M.E. church and held charges three years at Moline and Genesco, Illinois. For three years he also held pastorates at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874 he was appointed presiding elder over Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, with headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church and lived three years. He moved to Sheldahl in 1878 and during his five years as presiding elder organized churches in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He also served the Swede Bend congregation three different times. In 1880, while at Sheldahl, he was placed on the superannuated list and in 1882-3 he acted as supply minister at Des Moines and Sheldahl after being superannuated. In May 1899 he moved to Stratford, where he had made his home ever since. He was called to mourn the death of his wife in December 1890. In the early days he held many offices of trust and proved himself a man of ability and showed active interest in the development of the new country.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon tat 1 o'clock from the house where a few words were spoken and the remains were taken to the Swedish M.E. church in South Marion, where Presiding Elder Anderson had charge of the services and preached the funeral sermon. Rev. O.R. Palm and P.J. Berg talked of his life's work.
Revs. A.P. Martin, C.G. Bengston, Olof Granberg of Sheldahl, Freeman of Boxholm, P.J. Berg of Harcourt and O.R. Palm were the pall bearers. Many flowers were the witness to the memory of a grand old man and the attendance at the funeral, which was the largest ever held in that church, also testifies to the love which his friends had for him. The interment was made in the Olson cemetery and to this, his last resting place, many witnessed the last sad rites performed. With the words, "dust to dust and earth to earth," one of the noblest of men was laid away to await God's call. Peace be to his ashes.
The Dayton Review
May 23, 1907
Rev. John Linn's Labors Over
The death of Rev. John Linn last Friday at the home of his daughter in Stratford takes from earth another of the earliest pioneers whose earnest labors laid the first foundation steps for the development of this region. He was born May 29, 1826, in Smäland, Jönköpings Län, Sweden, being 80 years, 11 months, 16 days of age at his death. He grew to manhood in his native land, his father dying when he was only three years old. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church at the age of 16, and married in 1848 to Miss Mary E. Sombers. Together they came to America the same year to start their young lives in the great west, locating at Swede Bend, where the wife died in 1853, leaving two daughters, one of who, Mrs. P. J. Berg, died two years ago. He was married again December 25, 1853 to Miss Sarah Svenson, to which union four daughters were born, who together with one daughter by his first wife survive to mourn his death.
He was converted to the belief of the M.E. Church at a basket meeting in Hardin County, and a once entered the work of the ministry, being one of active pioneer preachers of the Swedish M.E. Church in this section during the struggling times of the early settlements. In 1868 he joined the Central Illinois conference, holding charges for a number of years at Moline and Geneseo, and serving as pastor at Rockford and Galesburg, Illinois. In 1874, he was appointed presiding elder of the Swedish M.E. district of Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, which he held five years, organizing many churches of his nativity in these three states. He made his headquarters at Des Moines, where he had organized a church, but in 1875 moved to Sheldahl. In 1880, he was pastor at Sheldahl and Des Moines in 1882-83. He moved to Dayton in 1888, where he lived until May 1899, when he moved to Stratford, where his wife died the following year.
Rev. John Linn was no less active in the secular than he was in the religious life of this region. He was one of the early county supervisors of Webster County, when it included Hamilton County within its territory, and held offices of trust wherever he was located. He was on the town council of this place at different times until his removal to Stratford. He was level headed, faithful to the interests of the town, and had the good faculty of being able to harmonize differences that made him an admirable trustee of the public's affairs. His funeral exercises were held Sunday afternoon from the Swedish M.E. Church at Swede Bend, the scene of his earliest labors in this country, short services having been held at the home of his daughter, where he died. Presiding Elder C.A. Anderson of Des Moines preached the sermon, his life being delineated by Rev. O. R. Palm, and his son-in-law Rev. Pl J. Berg. His remains were laid to rest in the Olson cemetery at Swede Bend beside those of his wives.
"Grandpa" Linn as he was universally known among us, was loved and respected, a faithful citizen, a loyal worker in the vineyard of the Lord, a genial neighbor, a quaint story teller, responsive in sympathy, a lover of his fellow man, no man in this community commanded the love and attachments of those among whom he lived more than he. His labor of love is over, and surely, "Well done, good and faithful servant," tells the story of his life's existence.
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