Dr. John Linton, the son of Benjamin Franklin Linton and Lucy Crewdson, and the grandson of Captain John Hancock Linton and Ann Nancy Mason, was one of the celebrated doctors from the Linton family in the 1840/1850 time period.  John, who was born in Kentucky October 5, 1811, was first a doctor to the Indians of early Allamakee County, Iowa.  He eventually settled in Garnavillo, in Clayton County, Iowa, where he practiced medicine until his death, June 27, 1878.

Garnavillo is a delightful small town.  One of its treasures, as we’ve found with many small towns in the mid-west, is the historical museum.  When Ritchey and I visited in October of 2004 we saw from the sign that it was closed.  I was crushed!  We had driven such a long way!  We went to the local diner for pie and coffee – another treasure!  I asked Ritchey to drive by one more time, and when we did noticed the door was cracked open just a bit.  Never one to waste an opportunity, we knocked on the door.  Two ladies were cleaning, but invited us in to take a look!  I was so impressed with everything they had to offer.  Case upon case of memorabilia – protected by glass and covered with cloth.  When we told them of Dr. John Linton they took us to the glass cases that held his items.  How precious they were to behold!  Pictures of the good doctor himself, some of his writings, personal items, daguerreotypes, his drug case.

We didn’t want to take too much time away from the sweet ladies who let us in, so soon left.  Oh, how many more treasures were there to be seen!  The walls were covered with cases, old clocks sat on shelves – just too much to observe in such a short amount of time!  We did purchase a copy of Garnavillo, Iowa, Gem of The Prairie, History to 1876.  One day we will return!

After a short stop at the cemetery to visit Dr. John Linton’s grave, we started back to Iowa City – in search of more missing relatives – this time on Ritchey’s side of the the family!