Hon. Will Linn. On the roster of Oklahoma’s able jurists is found the name of Hon. Will Linn, judge of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court, who has gained distinctive preferment in the legal profession, both at the bar and on the bench. Judge Linn was born at Linn Grove (named in honor of his father), Calloway County, Kentucky, in 1873, and is a son of Lilburn Cyrus and Louisa (Thornton) Linn. The Linn family was founded in Kentucky toward the close of the eighteenth century by emigrants from Ireland, where the name originated.

Lilburn Cyrus Linn was born in Kentucky and was there educated for the law, in which he was engaged throughout his career. He won a position of prominence in his calling, and was elected judge of the Third Judicial District of Kentucky, an office in which he served for a number of years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army, and subsequently participated in a number of hard-fought engagements, including the battle of Shiloh, in which he received a severe wound. He is now living retired from active life at Chickasha, Oklahoma, as is also Mrs. Linn, who was born, reared and educated in the State of Virginia.

Will Linn owes his primary education to the public schools of Calloway County, Kentucky, after leaving which he enrolled as a student at the University of Kentucky, and the Murray Male and Female Institute, at Murray. At the State University he was not satisfied with a single course, but took thorough preparation in the literary, medical and law departments, and was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Possessing a collegiate training, great energy, and a keen and analytical mind, it is not strange that he should succeed in his calling. His first practice was at Murray, Kentucky, from whence he went to Paducah, that state, and in 1905 came to Oklahoma and took up his residence at Chickasha, which has since been his home. He soon demonstrated his ability in several well conducted litigated interests and from that time enjoyed a liberal clientage, his cases being prepared with great thoroughness and care and his arguments being clear, forceful and convincing. Thus he attracted favorable attention to himself, and in 1907, during the campaign incidental to stateheod, became campaign manager of the democratic party in Grady County. Subsequently, when statehood was granted, Mr. Linn was made secretary of the State Elective Board, a capacity in which he served until September, 1910, when he resigned to accept the judgeship of the Superior Court of Grady County. In November, 1914, he was elected judge of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court, comprising the counties of Grady and Caddo, for the term of four years from January 1, 1915. His decisions in his judicial capacity have been a full embodiment of the law applicable to the litigated points and have been entirely free from judicial bias, and his career on the bench has but strengthened his position in the confidence of the people. He was made a member of the Supreme Court, Division No. 5, January 15, 1916. Judge Linn is a member of the Grady County Bar Association and the Oklahoma State Bar Association. He is interested in fraternal matters, and is popular with his fellow-members in the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Judge Linn was married in 1912 to Miss Lena Brock, daughter of J. H. Brock, of Chickasha. The family home is at No. 1028 South Fifth Street.