From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing
Company, Chicago, Illinois; pages 570-571, a reprinted by Stevens
Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County
Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
David C. Linn, who ably represents Frederick township on the
County Board of Supervisors, was born in Franklin county, Indiana,
March 29, 1834, a son of John Linn, a native of Sidney, Ohio. The
father was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade, and was engaged in the
manufacture of large spinning and small flax wheels. He removed to
Indiana when a young man, and followed his trade in Franklin county
until 1839, when he started westward with his family, his objective
point being Illinois; the entire journey was made overland, and after
about five weeks of travel he landed in Adams county. At first he
rented land near Camp Point, and two years later he bought a tract of
land; here he erected a log house and a shop, and worked at his trade,
at the same time superintending the cultivation of his farm. He made
many valuable improvements, and resided on the place until his death in
1881. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Gant; she now resides at Camp
Point, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. David C. is one of a
family of eleven children, and was but six years of age when he came to
Illinois with his parents. At that time Adams county was sparsely
settled; deer, wild turkeys and other game abounded, and the iron horse
had not yet penetrated the frontier. Quincy was the nearest market
town, and was the depot of supplies for many miles around.
Dr. Linn received his early education in the primitive schools
which were taught in the log schoolhouse. At the age of eighteen he
began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Ashton, of
Cincinnati; he also attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical College,
and in 1857 began the practice of his profession at Birmingham; he had
been there but a short time when he went to Plymouth, where he
practiced until 1859. In the spring fo that year he was graduated from
the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and then located in
Frederick township, where he has practiced continuously since. He has
been a close student of his profession, and has availed himself of
every opportunity of improvement. In 1883 he attended a course of
medical lectures at Bellevue Hospital medical College, and in 1888 he
was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati.
In the month of March, 1865, Dr. Linn entered the service of the
United States, as Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth
Volunteer Infantry, and was on duty until the following September, when
he was honorably discharged, the war being ended.
He was married in March, 1861, to Ada Folsom, a native of
Illinois; she died in August, 1862. The Doctor was married again in
1863, to Della Truett, of Baltimore. Politically he is a Republican,
and a stanch supporter of the principles of that party. He was first
elected Supervisor in 1886, and has served continuously since that
time. He has been a capable and efficient officer, working always for
the best interests of the county. He has been successful in his
profession, and has a large and appreciative practice.
