37. Andrew³ Linn III (Andrew², Andrew¹)⁽⁴²⁴⁾ was born in Beech Creek, PA April 7, 1851.⁽⁴²⁵⁾ Andrew died November 3, 1944 in Delta, Delta Co., Colo., at 93 years of age.⁽⁴²⁶⁾ His body was interred November 1944 in Hotchkiss, Delta Co., Colo..

He married twice. He married Mary Rebecca McDowell in Osborne, Osborne Co., Kansas, August 23, 1883.⁽⁴²⁷⁾ Mary was born in Kirksville, MO March 10, 1853. Mary⁽⁴²⁸⁾ was the daughter of David Little McDowell and Serepta Goldsberry. Mary died January 4, 1927 in Hotchkiss, Delta Co., Colo., at 73 years of age. Her body was interred January 1927 in Hotchkiss, Delta Co., Colo., Riverside.⁽⁴²⁹⁾ She resided in Osborne, Osborne Co., Kansas August 1887.⁽⁴³⁰⁾ __________________________________OBITUARY Mary Rebecca McDowell Linn was born Mar 10 1853 in Scotland Co., Mo. and died Tues. Jan 4 1927 aged 73 years 9 months and 24 days. She was one of 13 children. She moved to Osborne, Kansas in 1883 and was united in marriage to Andrew Linn Aug. 23, 1883. They resided in Osborne until March 1904 when they moved to Hotchkiss, Colo. She has lived on Rogers Mesa for the past 23 years until death claimed her. Six children were born to this union. Andrew, William and Mrs. Grant Miller of Hotchkiss. Homer of Portland, Oregon, Vane of Los Angeles, Calif. and Charles of Grand Junction, Colo. besides her children she leaves her husband, 11 grandchildren, 2 sisters, Mrs. Jennie Rice of Kirksville, Mo., Mrs. Adelia Kopher of Gorin, Missouri and 2 brothers, Cyrus McDowell and (probably of) Los Angeles and Henry McDowell of Seattle. She was baptized at the age of 15 and was church member of the Baptist Church in Hotchkiss. She was a true Christian having been a semi-invalid for the past 2 years. She was patient and cheerful, her favorite pastime was caring for her many beautiful flowers. She was always glad to give to make others happy. She was loved by all, her many friends and loved ones. Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church the Rev. Kelly preached the sermon. Jan 2, 1927. Interment in Hotchkiss Cemetery. This was copied from a letter written by Estella Linn who copied it from the Hotchkiss paper. (See BJL documentation: Jeanne Linn file repository 00804)

Mesa House Plants Started From Cuttings by Mrs. Linn⁽⁴³¹⁾ House plants to brighten up her home were among the items Mrs. Andrew Linn included in the equipment brought to Rogers mesa in 1904. She and her husband brought their family here from Osborne, kan., traveling by train that switched to the narrow gauge at Salida. Amont their possessions in addition to the plants were two horses, a cow, a dog, and household furniture. Andrew and Bill rode in the immigrant car and when they arrived here the family moved into a three-room cabin. All except a couple of houses on the mesa were log cabins with dirt roof. They later purchased the property now owned by the Bill Linns, and a family named Brockman owned it previously. Most of the house plants on Rogers mesa were started from cuttings from Mrs. Linn's plants. When the Linns came here there were no cars, electicity or telephones. The first electric lights were furnished by Charlie Linn who harnessed the ditch fro a power plant. Robert Stanford and Jack Fisher started the first phones on wire fences, but the date is not known. Andrew Linn Sr. [actually the III] organized the Rogers Mesa Fruit Growers association. Through his efforts also, the railroad spur was instituted into Lazear - the beginning of the town development there. Linn and his sons cleared the back 40 acres and planted it to apples, pears and peaches. In 1918 John Patton and Bill Linn made a trip to Denver to see about getting power into the North Fork Valley. The Linns had one daughter, Mrs. Grant Miller, and five sons: Andrew, Charlie, Homer, bill and Wayne (deceased). There are 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Further Research Required Her tombstone states she was born in 1854 not 1853; however, records such as 00838:22 clearly indicate 1853.

He married Nellie K. Unknown in Grand Junction, Colorado, April 7, 1929.⁽⁴³²⁾ (Additional notes for Nellie K. Unknown⁽⁴³³⁾)

He resided in Osborne, Osborne Co., Kansas August 1887.⁽⁴³⁴⁾ He resided in Unk city, Unk Co., Kansas October 25, 1912.⁽⁴³⁵⁾ He resided in Delta County, Colorado September 1932.⁽⁴³⁶⁾ He purchased land owned as of Sep 1932 in Delta Co., Colorado.⁽⁴³⁷⁾ He was the defendant in a lawsuit in Delta County, Colorado, September 17, 1932 brought by Nellie K. Unknown.⁽⁴³⁸⁾ Andrew and Mary Linn were married at the home of Henry Downing by the Rev. S. Briggs. The Witnesses were H.H. Downing and Horace Goldsberry. This information is from Estella Linn. (See 00849) ____________LETTERS TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LINN FROM ANDREW LINN III ___________________________(Typed Below As Written) I Saw a Letter from you for Mr. Addison. I have sent you Two Letters But Both have returned. I Sent them to the Old adress. I am Sorry you have had such Bad Luck. But Stick (underlined) to it Frank. You may make it all right in the End. I Wish I could help you. I have done very Well this wniter But I Lost Heavy (underlined) last summer. I clear it $996 in the Month of December But have done motly cince (since) I have Just got mony (money) Enough now to Pay [????] (looks like Emerg as in emergency but can't decipher, could also by Inez as in a person). (00804) Sow (so) Sorrey (sorry) that I did not insist on you coming out here with me as I Have to Hire a grate (great) deal and you could have Bought a farm and sold it now and Doubled your money on it. But (underlined) of corse (course) we cannot tell what is to Bee (be) till it is Past and gawn (gone). [ Mr. Addisons folks as all ???? (Will?, Well?) ] they have and got your letters for I got it out of the office and nowing (knowing) it was from you I tore it open and red (read) it as I was sow (so) anchious (anxious) to hear from you. ** EDITING NOTE FROM BJL:The bracketed phrase above does not seem to fit; however, the unknown word may hold the key to its purpose in this letter.** (00804) ______The following letter is on letter head which reads: A. Linn, Dealer in ______Butter, Eggs, Poultry and Game ... Osborne, Kans. 1886 I am going to get a loan on My Building and start a Bakery and fancy Groceris (Groceries probably) about June 1. I am going to have a far dress in the store and centinnen on in my tradux. Business as I am getting the Hang of it pretty Well and think if I have luck I can make some mony (money) now. I Supose (suppose) you now (know) that Mrs. Addison Was back to Illnois (Illinois) last fall. We Have had a very severe Winter Weather here this winters trains have bin (been) ???? oaver 1/2 of the Time cince (since) Jan 1 How I wish you could come out Here and stay with my next Winter ??? (underlined) you 2 will ?ine you goe (go) to Megs and make you at Home and you nead not work out in the old Mrs. Linns Lands Her Came to you and says she wants you to send us our P. stir My Wife is small she only's enough 2 do!! How is that. We send love to you Please write soon and affix yours Andrew Linn EDITING NOTE FROM BJL: This letter was difficult to read, perhaps with more effort in the future, it will be more clearly deciphered. (00804) ________________________Osborne City - Sept 16th, 1883 Brother Frank, I take pen in hand this plesent sabith to write you a few lines. I received your letter the other day and was glad to hear from you Well Frank I am sow sorry for you ???? lonly creative man one to care fo your now and to caress you from lonley Bach the last one of our family to get married now. Frank, take my advice an get married at once if you cant find any one there come out here and I will do the best I can to help you. Well Frank I am getting along very well. I wish you could come out here and see us I am keeping house now and I think it beats Baching all to peaces (pieces) I will dress poultry this winter. We got some very nice presents at our Wedding we had 12 presents in all we get a set of silver nives (knives) & forks & Butter nife (knife) and our other presents were very nice. Well Frank I havent mutch (much) to write this time I will write more next time Mrs. Linn sends here best wishes to you and she says she would like very much to see you. We send our Love to all Yours Andrew Linn P.S. Please find enclosed Mrs. Linns Picture Will you please send us yours. Hard to decipher but more study may yield positive results. (00804) There exists a question as to the death year of Andrew Linn III. The tombstone clearly states the year as 1945 (both Brian and Jeanne Linn have a photo of tombstone). The article below states that he died on Friday, Nov. 3 which, according to a perpetual calendar, occurred in 1945 not 1944. More research will be needed to bring closure to this question. Additionally, the birth date is not in question. _______________PIONEER OF WESTERN COLORADO REACHES END OF TRAIL Memorial service was held in the Baptist church Wednesday afternoon for Andrew Linn, aged resident of the valley, who passed away at a convalescent home near Delta Friday, Nov. 3. The pastor, the Rev. W.A. Goudie, officiated, and appropriate music was supplied by a quartet comprised of Mrs. Joe Leitzinger, Mrs. Wilma Hancock, Arthur Gregory, and G.R. Jones. Burial was in Riverside cemetery, the Taylor Funeral Home directing, and the casket was borne by Jack Gregory, A.E. Gusey, O.E. Latimer, Joe Leitzinger, Ernest Carr, and George Park. Andrew Linn III was born in Pennsylvania, April 7, 1851, one of a family of fourteen children. At the age of four years [probably really 3 since the family moved in 1854] he was taken with his family by wagon train to Illinois. During his young manhood he came to Colorado and had a part in the state's pioneer development, working on Marshall Pass when the first snowsheds were built and helping make the first steel rail in the plant at Pueblo. In 1880 Mr. Linn went to Kansas, locating at Osborne to conduct a poultry store, which grew steadily. There he met Miss Mary McDoweel, whom he married Aug. 23, 1883. Five sons and one daughter were born to them -- Andrew Linn Jr. (really IV) of Seattle, Wash., Homer, Will and Vane Linn and Blanche, Mrs. Grant Miller, of Hotchkiss, and Charles Linn of Tuscon, Arizona. Leaving Kansas as owner of one of the largest food stores in Osborne, Mr. Linn brought his family to Colorado in 1904 and engaged in fruit-ranching on the Silver Leaf fruit farm on Rogers mesa. He was the last survivor of a group who founded the town of Lazear and organized the Rogers Mesa Fruitgrowers association, the others being James Annand, Charles Eillington, William Barrow, and C.L. Greenwood. Since the death of Mrs. Linn, Jan. 4, 1927, he had made his home with member of his family residing in and near Hotchkiss until December 1942, when he moved to Delta. Mr. and Mrs. Linn joined the Baptist church in Hotchkiss in 1926. Mr. Linn was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow Lodges, the Royal Neighbors, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He leaves, besides his sons and daughter, fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Five of the grandsons are with the armed forces -- Homer Linn of the Marines; Earl and Eugene of the Navy, and Charles and Andrew Linn (V) in the Army. (Delta paper of Nov. 8??, 1944 - Copied from newspaper clipping sent by Estella Linn)

News Article (Source 10765) We [presumably the Osborne KS paper] take the following item regarding formerly well known Osborne people, from the Delta Colorado Tribune. "An old fashioned house warming occurred Friday at the beautiful new home of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Linn, on Rogers Mesa, when neighbors and friends to the number of 125 were present to enjoy their hospitality. the young people occupied the first floor with music, and dancing, while the elder ones indulged in cards, on the second floor. Elegant refreshments were served, and all left wishing Mr. and Mrs. Linn many years of happiness in their new home. the new home is a nine room structure, tow stories, steam heated, electric lighted, and bath and the finest on Rogers Mesa. (The Andy Linn family will be well remembered in Osborne as they were residents here for a number of years before moving to Colorado. The A. Linn Grocery and market was on of Osborne's early day business establishments.)

Andrew Linn III and Mary Rebecca McDowell had the following children:

+ 135 i. Andrew Addison⁴ Linn IV was born July 25, 1884.

+ 136 ii. Homer Cleveland Linn was born April 27, 1886.

+ 137 iii. William Cedric Linn was born January 31, 1888.

+ 138 iv. Wayne Earl Linn was born May 6, 1890.

+ 139 v. Blanche June Linn was born June 1, 1892.

+ 140 vi. Charles Cyrus Linn Sr. was born May 30, 1894.

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