William S. Linton
William S. Linton | |
---|---|
Mayor of Saginaw | |
In office 1892-1894 | |
Preceded by | George W. Weadock |
Succeeded by | William B. Mershon |
Personal details | |
Born | February 4, 1856 St. Clair, Michigan |
Died | November 22, 1927 (aged 71) Lansing, Michigan |
Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | University of Michigan |
William Seelye Linton (February 4, 1856 – November 22, 1927) was an American businessman and politician who served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan from 1893 to 1897.
Early life
Linton was born in St. Clair, Michigan and moved with his parents to Saginaw in 1859, where he attended the public schools. He engaged as clerk in a store at Farwell and became engaged in various activities connected with the lumber industry at Wells (now Alger).
Early political career
He was a member of the board of supervisors of
Personal life
Congress
In 1892, running on the
In 1895, Linton along with David Swinton, visited Florida looking for opportunity investing in what was then an unsettled frontier. In West Palm Beach, which was the end of the line for the railroad, they headed south by boat. Linton and Swinton liked what they saw, and purchased what is today, much of Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach. They then returned to Michigan to recruit settlers. By the fall of that same year, they had signed up eight settlers. The settlement called Linton was established within a year, having cleared palmetto growth, planting crops, and establishing a post office and store. However, by 1897, Linton had financial trouble and sold some of his holdings to Nathan Smith Boynton to raise some money. By 1898, Linton's creditors moved to collect from Linton's settlers, who had been under the impression that he already had clear title to the land. Some settlers headed back north, and Linton's reputation suffered. Linton returned to Michigan, and the settlement was renamed Delray after Delray, Michigan the hometown of W.W. Blackmer, one of the original eight settlers.[1]
Later career
Linton was appointed postmaster of Saginaw by
References
- ^ McGoun, William E., Southeast Florida Pioneers: The Palm and Treasure Coasts
- United States Congress. "William S. Linton (id: L000341)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard