Original text is from Robin Hasslen’s “Meet Your Neighbor” column in the Tri-County News, July 1, 1976. How fortunate are those people who are able to combine business with pleasure! My father is an artist who spends his life painting at his easel and at the same time earns his living through the sales of his pictures. I assume that most farmers are in similar circumstances. They are spending their lives laboring at something that they love. But what about the people who are caught up in the 9 to 5 jobs at factories or offices or shops etc. and are unable to awake each morning with enthusiasm for the day’s work? People aren’t in those positions out of choice and unfortunately, there seems to be no alternative if one expects to make a living. But, Clayton Linn was a lucky one. He has worked in the Kimball Post Office for 27 years because he enjoys it. Serving Kimball as a Postmaster was not Clayton’s original ambition. He graduated from high school in 1934 and went into teacher training. After that he taught in the area for 6 years. However, when a young man has a family started it is difficult to teach at $45 a month and then be unemployed for the summer. So when the position at the post office became available, Clayton immediately applied. He remembers those days, when a person could purchase 3 cards for 1 1/2? and would ask for an odd number of cards to upset him. Clayton was born and raised in the Kimball area and can trace his family tree back may years. He talks about his Great Grandfather, Alpheus Maservy, who ran a lumber mill. Clayton was one of the three children in a farming family. He took life pretty much as it came and when he met Mabel in a drugstore one day. He took her along and they became man and wife. (Not as fast as the sentence reads, but it sounds more romantic that way.) In 1947 the Linns moved a 9’x18′ trailer on to the property on which they still reside today. They remember the cramped quarters with just a table, chairs, stove and bed. But they also remember the warmth and closeness that developed and was to continue to grow in their family of seven. For most working people, hobbies are fun if not a necessity. For Clayton, his hobbies are his outlet, relaxation, satisfaction and enjoyment. They are Partridge Plymouth Rock chickens. It all began 20 years ago when Clayton’s daughter, Joyce began raising chickens for 4-H and won top prize at the state fair. Since Dad took over the hobby, he has brought home quite an impressive assortment of ribbons and last year, the Frank Barker (who incidentally was the individual responsible for Joyce’s chickens) State Trophy. Then 4 years ago while the Linns were vacationing, someone stole all their chickens, but Clayton decided they had become too much a part of his life and ordered more from Pennsylvania. Gardening is another of his hobbies and Clayton plans to build a small greenhouse when he retires and raise a few mums. Another hobby over the years has been baseball. Clayton was instrumental in starting Jr. Legion Baseball in Kimball in 1947. He always wanted to do things which he hadn’t had the opportunity to do as a child, so he coached for 26 years. (Mabel says she threatened to leave when he practiced 4 nights a week… but Clayton added that the season was actually very short.) Whether his work is his hobby or his hobby his work is difficult to discern when one talks with Clayton Linn. Both received very much time, energy, and devotion. But maybe that’s the person and not the job. Probably everything that Clayton has touched has felt his sincerity and warmth. And today, July 1st is officially his last day to touch many people in Kimball who have come to expect his smile behind the post office counter. Did we take for granted for 27 years that most postal employees are devoted to their job and community? Hopefully not, but it is never too late to express your appreciation to Clayton for the hours of commitment he has rendered. But it isn’t a one way street, and he too has enjoyed and received a great deal of satisfaction from serving you. And what now? Now Clayton will wake up every morning knowing it is his day, granted him by the Lord, for Whom he will work, and share and give whether at home at hobby, or in the community which is proud to have such a fine neighbor. “Making Memories is just what happened at the 2005 history exhibit called “Celebrating Memories”. With record-breaking attendance at our “Supper-in-the-park” and a century of pictorial exhibits, all was woven together through the artform of story telling. At daybreak Saturday morning, member Audrey White’s coffee and rolls in the park was a great addition. Lloyd Newman’s Model A never fails for our Sunday parade entry. Watch our next column for the winners of our Kimball Days prizes. The current City Hall restoration project was well received; your support is making this possible. For membership, cookbooks, City Hall donations, items for the history book in progress, and general information or research, please contact the Kimball Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 100, Kimball MN 55353; (320) 398-5250, 398-5743 or (800) 252-2521. And don’t forget we have numerous meetings with outstanding programs and speakers. Thanks for watching this column every-other week.
