George Russell Linn was the youngest child of John Linn and Rebecca (Anderson) Linn. Born in Colrain, Massachusetts -- the old home of his Scots-Irish ancestors the Andersons and Stewarts -- George later moved to Maine with his parents and siblings. He married in Windsor, Maine, on 23 Dec. 1822 to Abigail Stinson, daughter of Charles and Lydia Stinson. The first eight of George and Abigail's 10 children were born at their farm about 10 miles from Augusta, Maine. In 1840 their sold their farm and moved to Lee County, Illinois, settling first in China Township and later at Lee Center, where they remained until 1872, in which year they moved to Chicago.
Although his grave monument spells his middle name "Russel," that appears to be a mistake, for almost all other contemporary sources spell it "Russell." A biography of George Russell Linn was published in Evangeline Linn Halleck's 1941 "Descendants of George Linn," pp.68-75, which included the followed extended excerpts from his 1886 newspaper obituary:
"Like Saul, he was head and sholders (sic) above the people; Like the perfect man of Uz, as well as that of his own father, his family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. His clear views upon public and moral questions, fidelity to convictions and deep piety, rendered him conspicuous. He was active in the organization of the Abolition, Freeson (Free Soil party 1848-1852) and Republican parties. In 1848, he was the only man east of the Rock river, in Lee county, who voted for James G. Birney. In that early day being willing to incur the odium of an abolitionist. His home was the station of the underground railroad where fugitives from slavery, found refuge and assistance . . . His affection for party did not blind him to new issues, and when giving his adhersion (sic) to a new party two years ago, he said publicaly (sic); 'I vote now as I did fourty (sic) years ago, for principle, even tho I vote alone'. He put character above wealth, and when an effort was made to put the rail road thru Lee Center, where he lived and owned property, which he knew would thereby become more valuable, he strongly opposed the same, giving as reasons, that saloons would follow the line of the R.R. and though their farms would become more valuable, their sons would be exposed to greater temptations. It is no wonder that such a father could record in his Journal, the fact that all his children were converted in early life and united with the church of his choice. And again he wrote, 'How blessed I have been in my children, they are so kind to me now'. He taught them that he cared more for character than wealth. Those who have read his long kept Journal can not but be impressed with the fact that Christ was supreme in his thoughts. He was a patron and ardent supporter of Rock River Seminary. His consistent piety and devotion never wavered for sixty-five years. Regularly attended the sanctuary. Sustaining social meetings by his presence. Attending camp-meetings and conferences whenever possible and liberally contributing to all benevolent enterprises. He was a genuine methodist. In old age his heart was young and he frequently attended the young peoples meetings and they manifested their esteem for him by holding a special memorial service in the evening succeeding his funeral. A largely attended funeral at Western Ave. M. E. Church, showed the love and respect, this aged man had called forth during his residence in Chicago. Dr. Luke Hitchcock a friend of fourty-six years, Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. D. H. Burns presided at his funeral. A third funeral service was conducted the next day at Lee Center. He was buried beside his wife. 'His memory and influence are an honor to his church and a priceless heritage to his family'."
One of Uncle Russell's grandchildren also shared this memory:
"My Grandfather, George Russell Linn, was known by the whole village of Lee Center as 'Uncle Russell' and was noted for his aggressive piety, love of good horses and his antipathy to anything of a frivolous nature, in which he classed all games, reading of fiction, dancing etc. He was an ardent abolitionist. The only work of fiction which he ever permitted in his house was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' He condemned horses racing on a tract, because of the gambling certain to be involved, but always kept at least one horse with which he could pass almost any encountered on the road."
Although his grave monument spells his middle name "Russel," that appears to be a mistake, for almost all other contemporary sources spell it "Russell." A biography of George Russell Linn was published in Evangeline Linn Halleck's 1941 "Descendants of George Linn," pp.68-75, which included the followed extended excerpts from his 1886 newspaper obituary:
"Like Saul, he was head and sholders (sic) above the people; Like the perfect man of Uz, as well as that of his own father, his family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. His clear views upon public and moral questions, fidelity to convictions and deep piety, rendered him conspicuous. He was active in the organization of the Abolition, Freeson (Free Soil party 1848-1852) and Republican parties. In 1848, he was the only man east of the Rock river, in Lee county, who voted for James G. Birney. In that early day being willing to incur the odium of an abolitionist. His home was the station of the underground railroad where fugitives from slavery, found refuge and assistance . . . His affection for party did not blind him to new issues, and when giving his adhersion (sic) to a new party two years ago, he said publicaly (sic); 'I vote now as I did fourty (sic) years ago, for principle, even tho I vote alone'. He put character above wealth, and when an effort was made to put the rail road thru Lee Center, where he lived and owned property, which he knew would thereby become more valuable, he strongly opposed the same, giving as reasons, that saloons would follow the line of the R.R. and though their farms would become more valuable, their sons would be exposed to greater temptations. It is no wonder that such a father could record in his Journal, the fact that all his children were converted in early life and united with the church of his choice. And again he wrote, 'How blessed I have been in my children, they are so kind to me now'. He taught them that he cared more for character than wealth. Those who have read his long kept Journal can not but be impressed with the fact that Christ was supreme in his thoughts. He was a patron and ardent supporter of Rock River Seminary. His consistent piety and devotion never wavered for sixty-five years. Regularly attended the sanctuary. Sustaining social meetings by his presence. Attending camp-meetings and conferences whenever possible and liberally contributing to all benevolent enterprises. He was a genuine methodist. In old age his heart was young and he frequently attended the young peoples meetings and they manifested their esteem for him by holding a special memorial service in the evening succeeding his funeral. A largely attended funeral at Western Ave. M. E. Church, showed the love and respect, this aged man had called forth during his residence in Chicago. Dr. Luke Hitchcock a friend of fourty-six years, Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. D. H. Burns presided at his funeral. A third funeral service was conducted the next day at Lee Center. He was buried beside his wife. 'His memory and influence are an honor to his church and a priceless heritage to his family'."
One of Uncle Russell's grandchildren also shared this memory:
"My Grandfather, George Russell Linn, was known by the whole village of Lee Center as 'Uncle Russell' and was noted for his aggressive piety, love of good horses and his antipathy to anything of a frivolous nature, in which he classed all games, reading of fiction, dancing etc. He was an ardent abolitionist. The only work of fiction which he ever permitted in his house was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' He condemned horses racing on a tract, because of the gambling certain to be involved, but always kept at least one horse with which he could pass almost any encountered on the road."
George Russell Linn was the youngest child of John Linn and Rebecca (Anderson) Linn. Born in Colrain, Massachusetts -- the old home of his Scots-Irish ancestors the Andersons and Stewarts -- George later moved to Maine with his parents and siblings. He married in Windsor, Maine, on 23 Dec. 1822 to Abigail Stinson, daughter of Charles and Lydia Stinson. The first eight of George and Abigail's 10 children were born at their farm about 10 miles from Augusta, Maine. In 1840 their sold their farm and moved to Lee County, Illinois, settling first in China Township and later at Lee Center, where they remained until 1872, in which year they moved to Chicago.
Although his grave monument spells his middle name "Russel," that appears to be a mistake, for almost all other contemporary sources spell it "Russell." A biography of George Russell Linn was published in Evangeline Linn Halleck's 1941 "Descendants of George Linn," pp.68-75, which included the followed extended excerpts from his 1886 newspaper obituary:
"Like Saul, he was head and sholders (sic) above the people; Like the perfect man of Uz, as well as that of his own father, his family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. His clear views upon public and moral questions, fidelity to convictions and deep piety, rendered him conspicuous. He was active in the organization of the Abolition, Freeson (Free Soil party 1848-1852) and Republican parties. In 1848, he was the only man east of the Rock river, in Lee county, who voted for James G. Birney. In that early day being willing to incur the odium of an abolitionist. His home was the station of the underground railroad where fugitives from slavery, found refuge and assistance . . . His affection for party did not blind him to new issues, and when giving his adhersion (sic) to a new party two years ago, he said publicaly (sic); 'I vote now as I did fourty (sic) years ago, for principle, even tho I vote alone'. He put character above wealth, and when an effort was made to put the rail road thru Lee Center, where he lived and owned property, which he knew would thereby become more valuable, he strongly opposed the same, giving as reasons, that saloons would follow the line of the R.R. and though their farms would become more valuable, their sons would be exposed to greater temptations. It is no wonder that such a father could record in his Journal, the fact that all his children were converted in early life and united with the church of his choice. And again he wrote, 'How blessed I have been in my children, they are so kind to me now'. He taught them that he cared more for character than wealth. Those who have read his long kept Journal can not but be impressed with the fact that Christ was supreme in his thoughts. He was a patron and ardent supporter of Rock River Seminary. His consistent piety and devotion never wavered for sixty-five years. Regularly attended the sanctuary. Sustaining social meetings by his presence. Attending camp-meetings and conferences whenever possible and liberally contributing to all benevolent enterprises. He was a genuine methodist. In old age his heart was young and he frequently attended the young peoples meetings and they manifested their esteem for him by holding a special memorial service in the evening succeeding his funeral. A largely attended funeral at Western Ave. M. E. Church, showed the love and respect, this aged man had called forth during his residence in Chicago. Dr. Luke Hitchcock a friend of fourty-six years, Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. D. H. Burns presided at his funeral. A third funeral service was conducted the next day at Lee Center. He was buried beside his wife. 'His memory and influence are an honor to his church and a priceless heritage to his family'."
One of Uncle Russell's grandchildren also shared this memory:
"My Grandfather, George Russell Linn, was known by the whole village of Lee Center as 'Uncle Russell' and was noted for his aggressive piety, love of good horses and his antipathy to anything of a frivolous nature, in which he classed all games, reading of fiction, dancing etc. He was an ardent abolitionist. The only work of fiction which he ever permitted in his house was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' He condemned horses racing on a tract, because of the gambling certain to be involved, but always kept at least one horse with which he could pass almost any encountered on the road."
Although his grave monument spells his middle name "Russel," that appears to be a mistake, for almost all other contemporary sources spell it "Russell." A biography of George Russell Linn was published in Evangeline Linn Halleck's 1941 "Descendants of George Linn," pp.68-75, which included the followed extended excerpts from his 1886 newspaper obituary:
"Like Saul, he was head and sholders (sic) above the people; Like the perfect man of Uz, as well as that of his own father, his family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. His clear views upon public and moral questions, fidelity to convictions and deep piety, rendered him conspicuous. He was active in the organization of the Abolition, Freeson (Free Soil party 1848-1852) and Republican parties. In 1848, he was the only man east of the Rock river, in Lee county, who voted for James G. Birney. In that early day being willing to incur the odium of an abolitionist. His home was the station of the underground railroad where fugitives from slavery, found refuge and assistance . . . His affection for party did not blind him to new issues, and when giving his adhersion (sic) to a new party two years ago, he said publicaly (sic); 'I vote now as I did fourty (sic) years ago, for principle, even tho I vote alone'. He put character above wealth, and when an effort was made to put the rail road thru Lee Center, where he lived and owned property, which he knew would thereby become more valuable, he strongly opposed the same, giving as reasons, that saloons would follow the line of the R.R. and though their farms would become more valuable, their sons would be exposed to greater temptations. It is no wonder that such a father could record in his Journal, the fact that all his children were converted in early life and united with the church of his choice. And again he wrote, 'How blessed I have been in my children, they are so kind to me now'. He taught them that he cared more for character than wealth. Those who have read his long kept Journal can not but be impressed with the fact that Christ was supreme in his thoughts. He was a patron and ardent supporter of Rock River Seminary. His consistent piety and devotion never wavered for sixty-five years. Regularly attended the sanctuary. Sustaining social meetings by his presence. Attending camp-meetings and conferences whenever possible and liberally contributing to all benevolent enterprises. He was a genuine methodist. In old age his heart was young and he frequently attended the young peoples meetings and they manifested their esteem for him by holding a special memorial service in the evening succeeding his funeral. A largely attended funeral at Western Ave. M. E. Church, showed the love and respect, this aged man had called forth during his residence in Chicago. Dr. Luke Hitchcock a friend of fourty-six years, Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. D. H. Burns presided at his funeral. A third funeral service was conducted the next day at Lee Center. He was buried beside his wife. 'His memory and influence are an honor to his church and a priceless heritage to his family'."
One of Uncle Russell's grandchildren also shared this memory:
"My Grandfather, George Russell Linn, was known by the whole village of Lee Center as 'Uncle Russell' and was noted for his aggressive piety, love of good horses and his antipathy to anything of a frivolous nature, in which he classed all games, reading of fiction, dancing etc. He was an ardent abolitionist. The only work of fiction which he ever permitted in his house was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' He condemned horses racing on a tract, because of the gambling certain to be involved, but always kept at least one horse with which he could pass almost any encountered on the road."
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