William Peter Linn

Some people never reach their goals in life or find personal fulfillment because of obligations to their parents, siblings, spouse or children. Some work hard to provide for themselves and family and, only later in life, do they seek out their own personal goals or achievements.

While many may look at farming as an ordinary profession, in our family, we see farming as a most noble profession. As we look at Gus and Catherine’s second born, William Peter Linn (aka W. P.), we see a man who worked hard and later found other endeavors that might have given him recognition and a sense of personal achievement. William was born July 14, 1855, in Pilot Mound, and was just 8 years old when his father left to serve in the Civil War. When Gus returned, he had lost a great deal of weight from being a POW and had physical limitations the rest of his life.

And so, William and his older brother John must have had to share the burden of running the farm both in Gus’ absence and when he returned. Life could not have been easy for William in those years, living in their small log cabin, an isolated farm, with extreme and sometimes cruel weather conditions.

When William was nearing the age of 25, he married Florence Zelpha Wilson, on March 10, 1880. An interesting question was posted in the Webster County Gazette on March 5, 1880, just before the wedding:

“Wm Linn has bought the homestead of F. M. Owen. Whether he intends to set up a bachelor’s house or take a life partner in the housekeeping business is not yet known by this correspondent.”

And 5 days later, William and Florence were married!

There is some confusion about whether this couple had 7 or 8 children. Five children survived to adulthood. I have discovered two children who died in infancy. But I’ve not found a record of an 8^th child.

Robert R. Linn (1882), Jim Linn (1883 or 1884 and died June 11, 1884), Floyd Linn, (1884), Vinnie Linn (1888 and died November 2, 1888), Alva Carl Linn (1889), Guy Gustus Linn (1891), and Ivy F. Linn (1893).

In the 1900 Federal Census for Pilot Mound, William is a farmer born in Iowa; his wife Florence was also born in Iowa but her parents were born in England. Florence’s widowed mother and a servant are also living with the family.

In the 1905 Iowa state census, the value of William’s farm was $7,500, with no encumbrances. Using an inflation calculator, that amount would be roughly $200,000 in 2017. William was indeed making a good life for his family in 1905.

From 1908-9 through 1913, William served as the local postmaster, giving up his farm during that time. From the 1914 Boone County History Book, we learn that “W P Linn has held the office of postmaster in Pilot Mound for five years but has recently resigned that position and as soon as his successor is appointed will again turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, with which he was formerly identified for many years…. W P Linn attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and remained on the home farm with his parents until twenty-two years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for three years and on the expiration of that period purchased 80 acres of the old homestead in Pilot Mound township. He improved the property and afterward bought an additional tract of 78 acres, while later he purchased 40 acres more. General agricultural pursuits claimed his time and energies until 1908, when he disposed of his property and came to Pilot Mound, where he was appointed postmaster and has capably served in that capacity continuously since. He has recently resigned the office, however, and intends to begin farming again as soon as his successor is appointed…. Mr. Linn has always exercised his right of franchise in the interests of the republican party and for fourteen years acted as a trustee of Pilot Mound township, while he has also done able service as a member of the town council and as a school director. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Through his enterprise he has won financial success.”

And so we see that, in his later years, William was busy as Postmaster, as trustee for Pilot Mound township, and also served the town on the council and as school director. William indeed found personal satisfaction through these other efforts.

William P. Linn's appointment as Pilot Mound Postmaster on 18 March 1909 from "Appointments of U.S. Postmasters 1832-1971"

In 1929, the couple celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary at their home. William was 74 and Florence was 70.

In the August 6, 1936 issue of the Ogden Reporter, the headline “Celebrate 81^st Birthday” reports on William Linn with the following: “Mr. Will Linn celebrated his 81^st birthday July 14. Mr. Linn is probably the oldest resident here born and raised in Boone County, Pilot Mound Township. To this generation it is entertaining to hear him tell of the pioneer days of which he went through and when but 8 years old, saw a steam boat go up the Des Moines River and many such interesting features of his childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Linn enjoy good health and, with their son Guy, at home, celebrated the occasion with a family gathering. Those present were their daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Malmberg of Boone and sons; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Linn of Stratford and grandsons. Mr. and Mrs. George Thorngren and two children of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. C. Davidson of Waterloo; Mr. Floyd Linn of Des Moines; and Miss Thuyer of the same place.”

By the 1940 Federal Census, William is 84 years old and is unable to work. Florence is 80. Their son Guy lives with them, never marries and is a cemetery sexton.

William died on May 16, 1943. His wife Florence died just two months later on July 19, 1943. They are buried at the Linn-Bethel Owen cemetery. Following are their obituaries:

The Ogden Reporter, front page, May 27, 1943

The Ogden Reporter, July 29, 1943