William J Link was born on May 12, 1827 in Ellabach (Oerlenbach), Bavaria. He was the son of George Link and Anna Mary Limbach (Eihnbach). William was Walt’s great, great grandfather.
William emigrated to America around 1847. He made his home in Wheeling, West Virginia.
William married Mary Ann Souter at Washington, Pennsylvania. He moved to Iowa before 1860, living in Delaware County. He moved to Lee county around 1876.
William was a farmer. I found him in several census. In 1860, he had 3 children, the youngest being Isadore, Walt’s great grandfather. Isadore was just 4 months old when the census was taken. You can read more about Isadore here.
William registered for the draft during the Civil War. I found this record showing him and several others from the area. It is from Delaware, Dubuque and Brown counties, from June of 1863.
By 1880, the family was living in Lee County, and had 9 children, eight sons and one daughter. Seven children were still living at home.
In 1900, he is retired and living with his wife on Monroe Street in West Point.
Obituary
William Link died on April 30, 1910. Here is a transcript of his obituary from the West Point, Bee, published on May 5, 1910.
William J. Link, Sr., passed away at his home in West Point, Saturday April 30, aged 82 years, 11 months and 18 days. Deceased was born May 12, 1827, in Ellabach, Bavaria. He spent his boyhood in that country and at the age of 20 he emigrated to America and located at Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1876 he and his family came to Lee County and bought a farm just west of West Point and Lee County has been his residence since. Mr Link was married to Mary Ann Souter at Washington, Penn. Besides his widow he is survived by eight sons and one daughter: Anthony W. Link, who is in Russia; Florentine Link, Dyersville, IA; Joseph Link, Washington, IA; Mrs. J. B. Rubly, Chicago, Ill.; William Jr., Isadore, Al, Louis W., Eustace J. all of West Point, IA.
Sherrey
Really great obit. Lots of information.