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.
