Last Updated on October 19, 2011 by
P. B. Linn, dealer in groceries, provisions and queensware, Mattoon. The subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., Ill. Nov. 18, 1850; his father was one of the early pioneers of the county; his early life wad spent upon the farm; in addition to his common-school education, he attended Lee’s Academy two years; in 1871, he completed a business course in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College at Cincinnati; the same year, he entered the employ of J. B. Hill & Co., at Charleston, as clerk; in 1873, he began clerking for Frank Kern, in Effingham, and, in 1874, he came to Mattoon, where he served Hinkle & Buck in their dry goods establishment eighteen months; he next labored in the same capacity for Robert Mosley & Son for the same length of time. Nov. 28, 1877, he began business for himself. He was married May 8, 1878, to Lizzie R. Coddington, a native of Indiana. He lost his father at the age of 12 years, and since that time has paddled his own canoe along life’s voyage.