My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES H. LININGER,
Although numbered among the younger farmers and stockraisers of Union county, Charles H. Lininger is none the less prominent, for he owns two hundred acres of valuable farming land, eighty acres of which is located on section 35, Platte township, a second eighty acre tract on section 36, while forty acres lies across the line in Ringgold county. Mr. Lininger is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Ringgold county, October 15, 1869, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Washburn) Lininger. The father was born September 17, 1836, and departed this life July 26, 1895, at the age of fifty-eight years, ten months and nine days. The mother was born on the 10th of January, 1844, and died May 7, 1908. She was a native of Illinois and a sister of Mrs. Henry Clem, who is mentioned in this work in connection with the sketch of Charles H. Clem. Henry Lininger, the father of Charles H. Lininger, settled in Ringgold county in 1854 and it was there that his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Washburn was consummated. He is a brother of Osben Lininger, who is also mentioned on another page of this work.

Charles H. Lininger is one of a family of eight children, of whom five reached years of maturity. He was reared on the farm homestead and acquired his education in the district schools near his father’s home. He assisted his father in the duties of the home place until he had reached adult age, when he decided to embark upon an independent business career in other lines of life, and accordingly made his way to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was employed in hotels, serving as cashier in one establishment for five years. Agricultural pursuits, however, proved more congenial to him and he returned to Ringgold county, where for six years he was engaged in that field of activity, in which he met with gratifying success, so that he was at length justified in the establishment of a home of his own and accordingly was married in Union county, on the 23d of March, 1890, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Gessford, who was born in Ringgold county, a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Davenport) Gessford, who were pioneer settlers of Ringgold and Union counties. The father was born in, Wythe county, Virginia, August 22, 1833, but was reared in De Witt county, Illinois, while in 1864 he came to Iowa.

Following his marriage Mr. Lininger returned to Kansas City, Missouri, where he conducted a coal and feed business for one year. At the end of that period he disposed of his business interests and returned to Union county and purchased eighty acres of raw land in Platte township, this being located on section 35. He at once went to work to develop and cultivate his land and in due course of time had it in a very productive condition, while he improved the property by the erection of a good two-story residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, good fences, and also planted an orchard. As his labors were rewarded with a good financial return he extended the boundaries of his place by the additional purchase of eighty acres on section 36, Platte township, and forty acres in Ringgold county, and all of this land has been placed in an excellent state by the owner, who is now successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He gives much of his time to the latter branch, however, raising and feeding about two carloads of shorthorn cattle for the market each year and he also feeds from two to three carloads of Poland China hogs annually. His stock is of the best grades and in 1906 his hogs sold at the highest market price in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lininger has been blessed with five children, four sons and one daughter, Clarence H., born August 22, 1891; Harvey G., January 26, 1893; Harry S., January 6, 1895; Hazel May, October 16, 1897; and Fred, February 8, 1900. All are attending school.

Mr. Lininger gives his political support to the democratic party where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served for several years as road supervisor and as school director and acted as a delegate to several county conventions, this fact giving proof of his popularity and his public-spirited interest. He attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, in which his wife holds membership. Mr. Lininger may truly be called a self-made man, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own well directed efforts and his capable management of his business affairs. With the exception of the few brief years spent in Kansas City, Mr. Lininger has spent his entire life in Ringgold and Union counties and is therefore well known in this section of Iowa.