Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Dr. Carl Lindner
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
DR. CARL W. LINDNER, Cashier of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Clay Center, appears admirably adapted to the duties of his position and has contributed materially to its standing and success. This bank was established in January, 1877, opening for business on the 1st of the month, and is the oldest institution of the kind in the Republican Valley. Its first president was H. H. Taylor; its first vice-president. Col. M. M. Miller: and its cashier, John A. Moss. It was brought into existence largely through the instrumentality of U. H. Emrick, N. Gollober and G. Kuhule, and Dr. Lindner served as President from 1880 until 1884 when he became Cashier. It has a paid-up capital of $50,000 and does a thriving and steadily increasing business.
Dr. Lindner was born in Marietta, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1845, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Virginia. His father. Dr. Ernst Lindner, was born in Germany, in 1819, and came to America when nineteen years old, after having served under King Louis Phillippe, in the French Army. After his arrival upon American soil he sojourned, for a time, in the city of Washington, and thence went to Washington County, Ohio. His parents were noted teachers and died early in life, in Germany. Dr. Ernst Lindner sojourned near Marietta, Ohio, and established a silk manufactory, one of the first in the United States, which he operated successfully and extensively. Later, he was delegated to go through the State of Florida selecting lands for German emigrants. He went down the river
on a flat-boat and embarked on the ocean in a little sloop.
At Marietta, Ohio, Ernst Lindner was married to Miss Caroline Crawford and they became the parents of five children, all of whom lived to mature years, and of whom Carl W. was the eldest. Soon after his marriage he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Stanton, of Cleveland, Ohio, uncle of the then Secretary of State, Edwin M. Stanton, who became prominent under Lincoln's administration. He took his degree in one of the Cleveland medical institutions, and commenced the practice of his profession in Marietta, whence later he went to Kentucky. He was thus occupied until the outbreak of the Civil War.
In 1861, the father of our subject enlisted in the 36th Ohio Infantry as an Adjutant in the 1st Regiment, commanded by Gen. Crook. He was ill for many months and finally resigned, but later returned to the army and was given a Colonel's commission. Again he was compelled to resign on the account of illness, and returning to Ohio remained there until 1878. In the fall of that year he came to Kansas, landing in Clay Center on the 3d of September. Thereafter he spent his time in Kansas, Ohio and Florida, in each of which States he had property, and was not particularly engaged in any other business than looking after it. After its organization he was a strong supporter of the Republican party. He held the office of County Treasurer, two terms, in Washington County, Ohio.
Mrs. Caroline (Crawford) Lindner, the mother of our subject, was born in the State of New York, in 1824, and was the daughter of William and Caroline Crawford, who were among the first persons landing at old Ft. Harmer, now Marietta, Ohio. They settled on a tract of land from which the father cleared a farm, mostly with his own hands, at a a time when most of his neighbors were Indians, twelve miles from a trading post, place he lived and died, passing away 1845. The mother survived her husband a number of years, passing away April 22, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Miss Caroline grew to womanhood on the farm thus built up from the wilderness, and was there married to Dr. Lindner.
The subject of this sketch spent his early years on the farm near where the town of Marietta, finally grew up, and in the latter completed his early studies. During the second year of the Civil War he enlisted, on May 28, 1862, in Company F, 85th Ohio Infantry, but on account of his age was rejected. After a few weeks there was a call for more volunteers, and he was the first man to enroll his name in the same regiment among those who desired to go to the front. At the expiration of the three months he enlisted in Company G, 36th Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the 14th Corps, Army of the Cumberland. They were ordered to Ringgold, Ga., then returned and set out with Sheridan on his famous campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Lindner assisted in the fight at Winchester, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek, and for three years thereafter was on duty constantly, never missing a day. At the close of the war he received his honorable discharge and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. He had been promoted to a Corporal, and was frequently assigned to special service. He was only twenty years old at the close of the war, after serving three years and three months.
Upon retiring from the service, Mr. Lindner attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, one term, and later taught five terms in Washington County. He then began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. John Bohl of Watertown, Ohio, taking his lectures at the Cincinnati Miami Medical College, from which he was graduated. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bohl, and later came to Junction City, arriving in Clay County on the 3d of March, 1870. Part of the journey was made on a construction train, and later the Doctor walked across the plains. and for the first time saw a prairie. He purchased a compass, shot-gun and and haversack, and journeyed four or five days until reaching Waterville. Here he located for practice, and at the same time took up a homestead claim in what is now Garfield Township. He built a little 12x10 stone house, the first structure of this material in the county. quarrying the stone himself. Later, he began breaking the soil and putting up a stable and other buildings.
Early in the winter following, Dr. Lindner returned to Ohio for his wife, coming back in December, and about that time the emigrants began to arrive in goodly numbers, and his practice increased accordingly. He remained on his farm until 1872. then removing to Morganville. which was at that time looked upon as the terminus of the C. B. & U. P. Railroad.
In January, 1874, on account of the illness of their child, Mrs. Lindner returned to Ohio and died there. Dr. Lindner after the last sad rites were performed came back to Kansas and on the 2d of March, 1875, settled on a part of the present site of Clay Center. In the prosecution of his chosen calling he rode over Cloud, Riley and Washington counties, going frequently thirty and forty miles each way. In 1881 for the third time he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, for a course of lectures and then spent two years in Florida, where he purchased and still owns a home, and usually spends his winters there.
Upon his return to Kansas, in 1883, Dr. Lindner became interested in the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Clay Center and likewise in real-estate in this city and various other parts of Kansas. He is a favorite both in business and social circles and belongs to Lodge No. 34, Bethany Chapter and Coronado Commandery No. 20, K. P. To the Doctor and his estimable wife have been born four children, three of whom are living, namely: Blanche, Eaton and Carl Jr., and who are all at home with their parents, and will be given the best advantages which ample means can afford.