John Linker
John Linker was born in Hessen, North Germany, October 3, 1843. He is a son of John Linker, who was born in Hessen, North Germany, in 1816. He married Miss Martha E. Kranse in 1840, a native of Hessen, North Germany, where she was born, January 4, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Linker emigrated to America with a family of three children, landing in New York City; from there they continued their journey westward until they reached Shelby County, Ohio, and, in October, 1854, they located in Jackson Township, on the. farm in section 18, near Montra, now owned and occupied by their son John Linker, where Mr. Linker died March 28, 1862. His companion still survives him, and is now making her home with her son John on the home farm near Montra. He served five years in the army while in his native country. He reared a family of five children, viz., John, Valentine, Felt, William, and Mary.
John Linker, subject of this sketch, came to Shelby County with his parents in 1854, and has since been a resident of Jackson Township. He received a common German education while in his native country, and an English education after locating in this county, and can speak and write both the German and English languages. In the spring of 1874, he was elected trustee of Jackson Township, was re-elected twice, and served three successive terms. In the spring of 1877, he was elected treasurer of Jackson Township, was re-elected and served two successive terms. In October, 1879, he was elected commissioner of Shelby County, and is now filling the oflice with much honor to himself, and entire satisfaction to his constituents.
On the 29th of July, 1866, he married Miss Paulina Kriger, then of Fort Wayne, Indiana, but a native of Hessen, Germany, where she was born December 10, 1846, and came to America in 1865. By this union he has a family of five children, viz., John, Louisa, Matilda, George, and Albert.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883