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dated as the Fifty-Fourth, and new officers were in command, the old ones having been mustered out at the expiration of their terms. Thus it will be seen that Col. Linton's record of service in the army was highly honorable. His bravery was attested in every battle in which he participated, and they were many and fierce. He was once heard to remark that he was struck in every engagement in which he took part, but only three of his wounds were serious. After his recovery from his wound and his return from the army, Col. Linton resumed the practice of the law, and also resumed his interest in politics. He was an effective stump speaker, and rendered the Democratic party valuable services in many a campaign. In local affairs he served for several years as secretary of Johnstown borough council, and as a member of council. In 1866, when Gen. Jacob M. Campbell was elected surveyor-general of the State by a majority of 21,000, Col. Linton ran against him and had a majority in this county of 831. In 1867 he was elected a member of the lower House of the State Legislature over Samuel Singleton, republican, of Ebensburg, by a vote of 3,031 to 1,971. In 1868 he ran against Hon. Daniel J. Morrell for Congress, but was defeated by a majority of 1,094. At the preceding Congressional election Mr. Morrell had a majority of 1,219 over Hon. R. L. Johnston. The district was then composed of the counties of Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, and Mifflin. Col. Linton also served his party in other capacities, as delegate to National and State conventions, candidate for Presidential elector, and in the fall of 1891 as candidate for president judge of the courts of Cambria county, for which office he was defeated by |
Hon. A. V. Barker, his failing health preventing him from entering actively into the campaign. Col. Linton was married in 1857. His wife was a daughter of George S. and the late Mrs. King. They were united in Johnstown by Rev. David Swope, pastor of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Linton survives. She bore the colonel eleven children. Three daughters died in childhood. The living are: Miss Phoebe, who is at home, George K., of Lewistown, Illinois; Reuben M., of Somerset; R. P., of Dubois; Ivan, at home; Selah L., at home, a student at Pennsylvania college, Gettysburg; Anna, at home, a student at Luthersville, Maryland; and Kate, at home. When they were first married Mr. and Mrs. Linton went to housekeeping on Singer street, Conemaugh borough. Afterward they lived on Locust street. In 1882, they moved into a handsome brick residence, which they had built on Main street at the intersection of Union. Here they lived at the time of the flood. On that eventful evening the colonel and Mrs. Linton and their three daughters were at home. The descending deluge drove them to the roof of the house. The building was partially wrecked, but the roof did not fall, and they afterward, assisted by Orlando Potts, made their way to the high-school building, where they spent the night. As soon as possible the colonel built a house at Osborne, now the eighth ward, and there the family have ever since resided. In his family relations the colonel was very affectionate and kind. He was also socially inclined among his fellow-men, and was associated with many orders, etc. He was a charter member of Oriental Commandery, Knights Templar, and was prominently identified with Johnstown Lodge of Masons, Cone- |
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