"Portrait and biographical album of Coles County, Illinois"
  
LISHA LINDER. The family history of the subject of this sketch comprises an interesting array of facts and figures, and proves it to have been one of prominence in the locality where the Linders first settled upon coming to this country. Wherever located they have made their mark, exerting a good influence upon the minds and morals of those with whom they have been connected, and have occupied positions of trust and importance.
Mr. L. was born in Hardin County, Ky., Aug. 16, 1807, and was the eldest of four children born to Isaac and Nancy (Richardson) Linder. The former was a native of Vermont, whence his parents removed when he was a child to Kentucky. They were Daniel and Rebecca (VanMeter) Linder, the former reared and educated in the country and a man of much force of character and great industry. His father was Lawrence Linder, a brother of Simon and Anthony Linder, who were natives of Germany. Daniel Linder, when the Colonies began to struggle for their liberty, identified himself with them and distinguished himself as a soldier of the Revolution. He then engaged in his farming until he was of a good old age.
Isaac Linder, the father of our subject, was born and reared among the stirring scenes of nearly a century ago, and when a young man was actively engaged in skirmishes with the Indians, who made life miserable for the early settlers of the Blue Grass Regions. He spent the greater part of his life in Kentucky and died there in 1814, while still in the prime of life. After his death the mother kept her children together until Elisha, our subject, was old enough to assist her in caring for them, and finally the entire support of the family fell upon him. On the 10th of January, 1831, he came to this county, where he purchased forty acres of wild land and erected a log cabin. He staid there that season, raised one crop, and in the fall returned to Kentucky and brought his mother and her family to his home. The children then consisted of two sisters and a brother. Elisha had learned the bricklayer’s trade in the South, and followed it at times after coming to this county, but gave most of his attention to farming and stock-raising. He was very successful and invested his surplus capital in additional land until he became the owner of 2,000 acres, lying mostly in the central part of this State.
In the meantime Mr. Linder had been mindful of home comforts and domestic ties, and April 16, 1837, took unto himself a wife and helpmate in the person of Miss Rebecca Sawyer. Mrs. Linder is the daughter of John and Hannah (Radley) Sawyer, who were natives of Kentucky but emigrated to Illinois before the arrival of Mr. Linder. John Sawyer was one of the first settlers of Central Illinois after the State was admitted into the Union, and became a prominent and successful farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Linder have just passed the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Their children are Mary, Daniel, Martha, Nancy, John, Rebecca, Lillie Ann, Louisiana, Flora, Sarah, Sidney Jane, Isaac and Minta Elizabeth. Mary is the wife of Levi Johnson, a farmer of Barton County, Kan.; Daniel married Miss Rebecca Hall, and is also a resident of that county; Martha became the wife of John Parr, and is now deceased; Nancy is the wife of William Champion, a farmer of Mattoon Township, living near the Linder homestead; John married Miss Bruuetta Mitchell, and is farming in Sumner County, Kan.; Rebecca became the wife of William Puriston, who is now deceased; Mrs. P. occupies a farm on the Western Avenue road. Lillie Ann is the wife of William A. Bell, and lives near the old homestead; Flora is the wife of George Howell, a railroad engineer of Brazil, Ind.; Sarah married John H. Linder, and lives near the homestead; Sidney, the wife of Henry Howell, is a resident of Mattoon; Isaac, who manages the home farm for his parents, married Miss Sarah Brotherton. All the children, with their parents, are members of the Methodist Church.
The first Presidential vote of Mr. Linder was cast for Andrew Jackson, but the second one decidedly against “Old Hickory,” as he considered that he had good reason for changing his views. Since then he has steadily opposed Democracy, and although never taking any very active part in politics, uniformly-avails himself of his privileges as a free-born American citizen, in times of important elections.
Return To Contents
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated without consent.
All rights reserved. Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited.
The copyright (s) on this page must appear on all copied and/or printed material.

© 2024 by Coles County Administrator.