O. H. P. LINN

MAXWELL, COYLE, LINN, WILLIAMSON, THOMPSON, HILL, REINER

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/8/2009 at 11:05:51

O. H. P. LINN, who is engaged in the furniture business, and is also proprietor of the Ononwa House, and owner of the feed stable of Letts, Louisa Co., Iowa, was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1830, and was descended from old Revolutionary stock, both of his grandfathers having served in the war for independence. His paternal grandparents were David and Susanna (Coyle) Linn, natives of Pennsylvania, and the maternal grandparents were James and Jane Williamson, also born in Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Williamson entered the service of his country, serving seven years and holding the rank of Captain. The parents of our subject were James and Anna (Williamson) Linn, and both were born, reared and married in the Keystone State, where the death of the mother occurred in 1849, and of the father in 1855. 0. H. P. Linn was reared upon a farm, and received such education as the district schools of his native State afforded. There he was united in marriage, in 1852, with Eliza Thompson, who was born in Pennsylvania, of which State her parents, Adam and Elizabeth (Hill)Thompson, were also natives. He had learned the carpenter's trade some years previously, working at it until his removal to Iowa, and again after reaching Letts, in November, 1856, resumed his chosen occupation. His first work after arriving in this county was on the very building which he now owns. He continued to work at the carpenter trade until 1862, when he enlisted, and was mustered into service at Muscatine, in the month of August, becoming a member of Company F, 35th Iowa Infantry. Going to Cairo with his regiment, he there did garrison duty until the following spring, when, under the command of Grant, the regiment participated in the battles of Raymond, Jackson, and the siege of Vicksburg. The following spring it engaged in the Red River campaign, being under fire at Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, and Old River Lake, and during the summer of 1864 engaged in the hard-fought battles of Tupelo, Nashville, the siege and capture of Mobile, lasting thirteen days, the capture of Ft. Blakely, and at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln was at Montgomery, Ala. He was ordered home from Selma, Ala., and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1865.

Returning to Letts at the close of hostilities, Mr. Linn again worked at his trade of carpentering until within the past eight years, since which time he has engaged in the furniture business, carrying a fine assortment of the latest styles of furniture, and in connection with that has for about four years been proprietor of the hotel and owner of the feed stable. The Ononwa House is a large, roomy building, with good accommodations for entertaining the wayfarer. Mr. Linn in politics is a Republican, and takes great interest in the local elections, and also in attending the conventions of the party, and taking part in the primary elections. In 1883 he was elected to the Twentieth General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature, which convened in 1884, and is at present Mayor of the town of Letts. Socially, he is a member of Caldwell Post, G. A. R., at Letts, and also belongs to the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, in which he holds the office of Chaplain. A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is one of its most active workers, doing everything in his power to advance the Master's cause. He has served as Superintendent of the Sunday school, and is now President of the Louisa County Sunday School Association, visiting as far as possible all the schools of the county, though he makes a specialty of visiting the country rather than the city schools, and aiding or encouraging those who need his assistance. Much good has been accomplished in this line, and his efforts made in other directions for the good of the community are in nowise to be overlooked.

The death of Mrs. Linn occurred in 1 881, her disease being heart trouble. She was a most excellent lady, beloved by all, and her death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In 1884 Mr. Linn was again united in marriage, Miss Emma Reiner, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. She is a member of the Christian Church, and a daughter of John F. and Harriet (Maxwell) Reiner, her father being a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Ohio. Her parents came to Iowa in 1853, settling in Washington County, but at present are residents of Columbus City. Mr. and Mrs. Linn are widely known throughout the county, and are highly respected in the community where they reside.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album 1885