John Linn's Memoir

My last post contained the memoirs/biographies for Peter and Julia (Linn) Berg and Peter's second wife Adelia. When I wrote to the librarian to thank him for his help, I asked if there might be something similar for John Linn. He quickly sent back the following, contained in the Western Swedish Conference Journal from September 1907, just 3 months after John's death.

And, before moving on to this translation, perhaps you were as confused about the use of the word "memoir" to describe the passages we have been reading. It appears that we have a translation issue or language barrier. John Linn's "Memoir" is actually translated "Memory Drawing". To me, that seems more like someone's memory of a person, like an obituary or a short biography. See what you think in the following:

Below is a rough translation of John Linn's very lengthy Memoir:

John Linn is dead. That was the message. How could he die, he who, though the oldest among us, could not even grow old? But still he is dead, the youthful, lively, vigorous veteran. He still lives, however, not only in the abode of rest, but also with us in the work he did, the congregations he founded, the seven children who, through him, have been helped on the path of life. John Linn was born on 29 May 1826 in Linkoping County, Sweden. In early childhood, he lost his father and, like David of old, had to begin the school of life by herding sheep.

After many challenging experiences, he emigrated to America and arrived in Chicago in the fall of 1849. Cholera broke out there, in which 12 of his traveling party died. From there, the others went through St. Louis and Keokuk to Swede Point, Iowa, which was the destination of the voyage. There, Linn's only child died of smallpox. The land on which they intended to settle was already occupied by others, and they continued their journey to the northwest, where the present-day Swede Bend, Iowa, and present-day Stratford were and built their log houses along the banks of the Des Moines River and began to cultivate the land. It was here that he was converted to God. It was also here that his first wife died in 1853 and his second wife in 1899 and here in this place he himself fell asleep on 17 May 1907. 

Concerning his conversion, Brother Linn told us that a Swedish Methodist preacher named Smith was sent from New Sweden, Iowa, to the settlers at Swede Bend to preach the word of God. A certain Andrew Adamson proposed that a meeting should be held, but expressed that the preacher was one of the worst, one of the miserable Methodists! Brother Linn replied that he would hear him even if he were a Catholic! So, he came to the meeting and took his seat under a tree. The text was John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd, etc." During this sermon, God spoke peace to his heart, whereupon he immediately arose and held according to what he himself thought, gave a class with Andrew Adamson as exhorter and John Linn as class leader. This was his first office within the church. He had unspoken preaching authority by Peter Challman. In 1860, it was recommended that he take up the travel system, but as the support was too scarce, he had to leave there for the sake of his family.  

He was ordained deacon in 1858 and sent to Moline, Illinois, and later Bishop Janes ordained him and sent him in 1871 to Rockford, Illinois. The next place was Galesburg, Illinois, where he worked successfully for two years and managed to pay off a rather pressing church debt. He was then appointed presiding elder over the Iowa district, which then included not only that state but also Kansas and Nebraska. At the same time, he was the minister in charge of Des Moines, even though there was no church or congregation. It was during his four-year term of office that most of our congregations, both in Nebraska and Kansas were founded. 

Due to his own and his wife's broken health, Brother Linn requested in 1880 to be localized. The conference gave him a permanent position which he held until his death. However, he served, for lack of several preachers, some congregations as a substitute. Just as his first office in the church was that of a class leader, so was his last for the several years he has been in charge of a class in Stratford; and this class for spiritual vitality among our congregations is the best in the state. This class he led two weeks before his death. It can be said that what he often used to express in song went full thunder: "Let me die in the month of May". Even that desire to have died in the month of May was fulfilled. 

When he died, Brother Linn was surrounded by most of his children for his last moments. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, May 15, 1907. An unusually large crowd gathered in the funeral home and from there the journey was directed to our church in South Marion. The congregation had tastefully decorated the church which was already full of people upon arrival. 

The bell choir performed during the service, some of Brother Linn's favorite songs. Pastor C. O. Freeman recited the 90th Hymn after which Pastor Olof Grarnberg led in heartfelt prayer.  Then Pastor Martin from the Swedish Lutheran Church read the latter part of the First Corinthians, Chapter 15. P and C.A. Anderson preached the sermon led by the 15th verse of the 17th Psalm. Pastor P. J. Berg gave a brief description of the life and activities of Brother Linn, after which Pastor Oscar Palm shared some of his experiences in collaborations with Brother Linn. Pastor Bengtson from the Swedish Baptist Church concluded with a prayer. 

He was then taken to the burial mound, where, in the presence of an immense crowd of people in that late evening hour, the remains were handed over to Perdition. Brother Linn is survived by seven surviving children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, in addition to a large circle of friends. 

Brother Linn, neither as a child nor as a youth, had the opportunity to prove himself in any school, but we must therefore not think that he was ignorant. Admittedly, he had never learned the New Testament in Greek or the Old Testament in Hebrew, but he knew the Bible so much better both within his head and his heart in Swedish and, if required, in English as well. Himself of the old orthodox school and a Methodist in both doctrine and practice, he expected the same from others as well.

We cannot say that he was an eloquent speaker in the ordinary sense of the word, but then he was a fine public speaker. At the same time that he did not disdain to dwell on teaching points, the practical aspects of religion were his most popular subjects of consideration; and he knew how to draw striking and humorous illustrations of them from everyday life. He possessed a strong and clear voice and, as a singer, as well as a speaker, he excelled. Gifted by nature much above the ordinary, if his passions and inclinations had earlier been led onto the right track, he would have become something even more extraordinary. He possessed great practical talent and was several times elected to positions of trust within the community. 

Through his bright outlook on lie, his good memory, and his fluent conversational skills, he banished sadness and unhappiness from the circles he came into contact with. When on saw him, one felt again the gentleman, a man of honor, at the same time disgraced and honored, possessing the confidence of all who knew him, deeply mourned at his death, although expected and welcomed by him, he will long be missed especially in the circle of brothers and at the conference meetings because, even if his work was finally reported among us, it was with joy that we saw him and with pleasure we listened to his testimony when his name was called among the seniors to be a bishop.

Two of the conference's first elders, Johan Eric Berggren and John Linn, faithful brothers in arms in the battle on earth, have now left us and reunited in the grace-won rest, where they now converse about battles fought and victories won. Neither is left but will long be remembered and when the sun of his life sets, may it set as peacefully as those of the present and may we all meet our father in Christ after a fair work is finished at the Lord's house. 

I realize that some of the words and sentences are confusing. It's the best I can do with a Google translation, the little Swedish I can read, and cleaning it up a bit. I hope you found this memory of John Linn to be interesting. Clearly, his funeral was well attended with several ministers from various local churches participating. 

 

 

John and Sarah Linn with one of their daughters.