Biography - CHARLES LYNN
Randolph county, Illinois, figures as one of the most attractive,
progressive and prosperous divisions of the state, justly claiming a high
order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve
consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of
this section. Among the essentially representative citizens, whose loyalty
and public spirit have contributed to its growth, is Charles Lynn, who was
formerly connected with the postoffice service of the state but who is now
living retired on his fine estate, widely known as the Menard Mansion.
Together with his brothers and some other gentlemen, he is owner of the old
historic Menard property, which comprises some six hundred acres of most
arable farming land located near Fort Gage.
A native of Greene county, Illinois, Charles Lynn was born on the 9th of
April, 1847, and he is a son of Alexander W. Lynn, whose birth occurred in
the state of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather of Charles Lynn, namely,
John Lynn, was born and reared in county Antrim, Ireland, whence he came to
the United States about the year 1800, settling at Kingsport, Tennessee.
John Lynn fled from Ireland because he had been a participant in the Irish
rebellion which resulted in the death of the famous Robert Emmet. He was a
Protestant in his religious faith and after his arrival at Kingsport he
married and there passed the remainder of his life. His sons were William,
John, Samuel, James, Joseph, Alexander and Charles, of whom Alexander and
Samuel came north and identified themselves with various interests in
Illinois. Alexander Lynn married Mary Barr, a native of Sumner county,
Tennessee, and they removed to Illinois in the year 1835. After passing one
year in Morgan county, this state, they located in Greene county, where Mr.
Lynn turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He left the south on
account of the slavery question, although he was not an Abolitionist. He was
called to eternal rest in 1872, at sixty-five years of age, and his
cherished and devoted wife died in 1893, in her eightieth year. Their
children were: Kate, who married Samuel Hopkins and died in the "Menard
Mansion" in 1904, leaving a son, Lynn C., John, who died at Carrolton.
Illinois, in 1871; Martha, who died, unmarried, in 1886; William, who died
in 1887; Alexander W., a resident of Fort Gage; Charles, the immediate
subject of this review; Mary, who is deceased; and James, who is interested
with his brothers in the historic property at Fort Gage.
Charles Lynn was a business man as a merchant in Carrolton, Illinois, in his
early manhood and was then appointed postmaster of the city, serving in that
capacity for a period of six years. His education was acquired in the city
schools and academy and his mercantile experience proved of value to him
later in his career. Becoming interested in politics, as a Republican, he
found favor among the leaders of Illinois, and in 1885 was appointed
purchasing agent for the Southern Illinois penitentiary. He served in that
position for eight years, at the expiration of which he retired to his farm.
Subsequently the state auditor selected him to become building and loan
examiner of Illinois and he was interested in that work for the ensuing
three years. Finally resigning that position, he was appointed special agent
for the postoffice department for the installation of rural delivery service
and while covering his territory south and west of Chicago he was detailed
to service in that city, Cincinnati and St. Louis. Later on he was appointed
postoffice inspector, attached to the Chicago division, and he served as
such until 1908, when he retired to his Fort Gage home. Falling naturally
into politics, Mr. Lynn served his party in Greene county as its central
committee chairman, and by association made the acquaintance of state
leaders of the party. His knowledge of Illinois public men of both political
faiths is broad and accurate and he has ever felt a friendly interest in the
work and life of Senator Cullom. He is a close observer and an analytical
measurer of public men, and his retentive memory makes him an entertaining
talker upon political events and politicians.
The Lynn property comprises some six hundred acres of fine land adjacent to
the "Menard Mansion," and the home of the Lynn brothers is the most historic
spot in Illinois. The "Mansion" was built in 1813, by Colonel Pierre Menard,
and is widely renowned as the "Menard Mansion." Colonel Menard died in 1844
and the property then fell into the keeping of his son, Edmund, a highly
educated but easy-going young man, who had no interest in the money side of
life, and was not a financial success. At his death Mr. Lynn, in partnership
with a few other gentlemen, bought the property, which has, since then, come
into the Lynn family almost wholly.
On the 15th of March, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lynn to Miss
Mary E. Cochran, of Freeport, Illinois. She was a daughter of Senator James
S. Cochran and died in 1892, without issue. Mr. Lynn is popular with all
classes of people and is everywhere accorded the unalloyed confidence and
esteem of his fellow men.
Extracted 05 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Southern Illinois, by George Washington Smith, volume 3, pages 1705-1706.
