My Genealogy Hound

Silas Lingg is a member of the firm of Lingg, Lambert & Co., undertakers, of Helena, Ark., and was born in the State of Delaware, on May 21, 1849, being a son of Joseph and Judith (Ffirth) Lingg, the father a native of Switzerland, and the mother of America. Their marriage took place in the State of Delaware, and shortly after they moved to Chicago, Ill., later to Grand Detour, that State, and here Joseph Lingg was engineer of a plow factory until his death, his wife also dying there. Of eight children born to them, only two are now living. He and three brothers were in the Union army during the Rebellion, and his brother Joseph A. was killed in battle at Spottsylvania, Va. The maternal grandfather Ffirth was judge of a court in Philadelphia in 1796, and was a very intellectual and prominent man. The ancestors of the wife of Mr. Lingg’s maternal grandfather settled on the site of Philadelphia, Penn., in 1623, which place is still occupied and owned by one of Silas Lingg’s cousins. Nine generations of children have been born on the homestead, which is still in the family. Silas Lingg was reared and educated in Illinois, but being of a rather enterprising disposition, he went to Nebraska, and followed river life until 1875, and at present has in his possession his commission as pilot and captain of a steamboat. In 1875 he took an interest in a soda water and cider manufactory belonging to Jacks & Co., and was thus associated until 1880, when he bought out his partners, and has since managed the business alone, meeting with the best success. Since 1880 he has been in the undertaking business also, and has become thoroughly experienced in the details of this difficult branch. He is very prompt day and night, and guarantees strict and careful attention to all orders. He is a director of the People’s Building and Loan Association, and socially belongs to the K. of P., the A. O. U. W. and the A. L. of H. In 1880 he was elected city treasurer, and in 1885 was chosen city marshal, and was re-elected in 1886. He was married in 1873 to Mattie E. Gordon, by whom he has three children: Vera, Blanche E. and Silas L.