The Baby of the Family

Most of us know about Gus and Catharina (Lundblad) Linn’s son Andrew Linn as Andrew is also our direct ancestor. But what about their other children?

Gus and Catharina had 7 children, two of whom died very young. But their other children are worth a closer look; and who better to look at first but the baby of the family, Charles Henry Linn.

Charles was born on December 7, 1866, just 18 months after Gus’ return from his Civil War duties.

On December 23, 1891, Charles married Louise Lilyard in Dayton, Iowa, but moved to Nebraska right away as their first child Wallace was born there in 1892.

We know that Charles, Louise, and their two children lived for a time in Arlington, Nebraska, north of Omaha, from the following two articles located in the Dayton Review.

Dayton Review, 7 October 1897, page 5: "C. H. Linn sends us the Arlington Times, in which an account of the big blaze that came near wiping out the town is given. Fires were discovered in several places at the same time and there is no question about it being the work of fire bugs. The town had no facilities for putting out fires and there was little else to do but let it take its course. There were nine buildings burned up or scorched, but C. H. Linn and Company, although their building was fired, escaped as the fire was discovered before it got under way. The loss foots up $17,500 with only $4.00 insurance. They think the fire was the work of tramps."

Dayton Review, 15 March 1894, page 5: "Gust Linn started for Arlington, Neb., on a visit to his son C. H. last Tuesday morning. He expects to get home by Saturday."

In the 1900 US Federal Census for Omaha, Precinct 1, Douglas County, Nebraska, Charles Linn, age 33, married 9 years, born in Iowa, is a motor conductor; wife Louise, age 28, born in Iowa, gave birth to 3 children, 2 living; son Wallace, age 7, born in Nebraska, a student; and daughter Helen, age 5, born in Nebraska. Also in the household is a boarder who is a motorman.

In looking further at what Charles’ job as motor conductor would have entailed, I found that, from the 1890’s until the 1950’s, three street car companies operated in Omaha. The photo above shows a streetcar that operated in 1910 and would be similar to one that Charles served as motor conductor.

In the 1910 US Federal Census for Omaha, Ward 12, we find living on Ames Street Charles Linn, age 43, born in Iowa; wife Louise, age 38, born in Iowa; son Wallace, age 17, born in Nebraska; and daughter Helen, age 15, born in Nebraska. Charles is a proprietor of a pool hall. The 1910 Omaha City Directory confirms that Charles owned a pool hall at 1510 Harney.

Charles and Louise Lilyard Linn

Charles met with an unexpected and tragic death on August 16, 1913. He was just 46 years old when he died while on a business trip to Kansas City, leaving his wife and two young children. The details of his death are found in the following two news articles:

FROM THE DAYTON REVIEW 21 AUGUST 1913, PAGE 5:

The sad news reached here Sunday of the death of Chas. Linn, formerly of this place, but now of Omaha, who was killed by a stroke of lightning Saturday evening while talking on the telephone in Kansas City during an electric storm. His brothers, John Linn, south of town, W. P. Linn of Pilot Mound, and A. F. Linn near Stratford left Tuesday for Omaha to attend his funeral there yesterday. But little of the particulars have been received. 

FROM THE LEHIGH VALLEY ARGUS, 4 SEPTEMBER 1913,

A. F. Linn returned Thursday evening from Omaha, Nebraska, where he has been in attendance at the funeral of his brother, Chas Linn. Mr. Linn's death was caused in a rather peculiar manner. He was in Kansas City at the time taking baths and was assisting in a store on the evening of his death. Lightning is supposed to have struck somewhere near the building and extinguished the electric lights, when he went to the telephone to call up the plant and came in contact with an electric fan and was instantly killed. He leaves a wife and one son and one daughter. Mr. Linn of this place has the heartfelt sympathy of his many Stratford friends in his bereavement. (Stratford Courier)

Charles’ body was brought back to Omaha for burial. He was buried on August 20, 1913, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha.

Charles’ wife Louise lived the last years of her life in Denver with her daughter Helen. She died in 1933 and is buried next to her husband in Omaha.