LINVILLE, John D. - L-Obituaries

Hillsboro March 4 - The Rev. Guy E. Tremaine of Waynetown assisted by Rev. Will Newlin of Crawfordsville conducted funeral rites of John D. Linville which were held at Hillsboro Methodist Church Friday afternoon 2 o'clock, Goerge McBroom and Claude Harding accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Tom Taylor sang, The Unclouded Day, THe Sweet Bye & Bye and The Home of the Soul. The pallbearers were: AD McKey; LL Wood; Van Schermerhorn; Leslie Bell; WIlliam Nine; Byron Hesler; Ernest Myer; Harry Allen. Flower bearers were members of the Hillsboro Eastern Star as follows: Mesdames Mary N. Hesler; Mary Starnes; Magdalena Nine; Carrie Tinsley; Nellie Eitnier; Isa Livengood; Ruth Marie Templeton; Gerty Frazier; Florence Shade; Carol Myer; Bessie Crowder and Gladys Williams and Jess Fine of the Masonic order. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro.

Hillsboro, March 1 - John D. Linville, one of the best known residents of this community died at his home here this morning at 7 o'clock following an illness of several weeks. Mr. Linville, proprietor of a general mercantile store here for 60 years was one of the oldest merchants in Fountain County. He also was a former postmaster and for six years served as trustee of Cain township. Born Dec 5, 1848, near Harrodsburg, Mercer County KY he was the son of WIlliam and Margaret Peacock Linville. When he was a young man, he moved to Hillsboro with his parents and since that itme had been a resident of this community. He entered business here on Nov 16, 1879 when he became a partner in the firm of McBroom & Linville. The store passed through several changes of name and for a number of years has been known as "JD Linville & Co.," which firm name it still maintains. He retired from active business in May 1938 when his health failed. On Jan 1 of this year, Mr. Linville sold his interst in the store to his brother-in-law, Henry Davison who had been a partner int he business for a number of years. Mr. Linville was appointed postmaster in 1880 and served six years, maintaining the post office in his store. He served as trustee of Cain Twp from 1894 through 1900. The deceased had been a member of the Masonic order 65 years and of the Hillsboro Methodist Church for more than 50 years. He also belonged to the Order of Eastern Star. His marriage to Mattie Wood took place in 1881. There were no children. Survivors besides the widow include twin brothers, James of Marysville, Mo and Leonard of near Mellott who celebrated their 86th birthday on Feb 3. Funeral services will be at the HIllsboro Methodist Church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The body will lie in state for an hour proceding the services. Rev. Guy . Treamine of Waynetown will be in charge of the services. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery.

Johnnie Linville, veteran Hillsboro merchant, was one of the folks who was out bright and early New Year's day greeting everyone with a happy smile. He is 86 years of age and aside from beng troubled with some rheumatism in his left knee gets about as spry as a 40 year old boy. Tuesday morning when our reporter visited with Mr. Linville at his store in Hillsboro he was told about some of his early days when he lived south of Veedersburg and worked at the woolen mill. The woolen mill was then located where the old Hetfield Mill stood and was for years one of the prosperous enterprises of Western Indiana. The mill at that time was owned and operated by Hetfield & Mitchell and later Hetfield & Crowley. Before working at the woolen mill Mr. Linville worked on a farm in the Dice neighborhood. He finally gave up farming and started at the Mill as a wool sorter and washer. He advanced until he was given the position of dyer and colorer for the mill. When the woolen mill b usiness failed in 1875 the firm paid Linville off in hogs and book accounts. From this source he was able however to balance the account he had with them for labor. One of the things Mr. Linville was still interested in concerned the coal resources of that section. When he was a young man he remember that many times candle coal was found around the dam and south of it which had been washed down Coal Creek when the heavy spring rains flooded the creek. At one time they found a chunk of candle coal which weight 72 pounds. He helped make several investigations and looked for the candle coal bu tno one was ever able to locate the bank where it could be found. The company which then owned the land where the Mill stood and where the clay company now stands drilled for the candle coal but to no avail. Mr. Linville was born in Kentucky and remembered having burned candle coal in the fireplace at his home near Lexington in the days before the Rebellion.