John Simon Linder was born in 1754 in Frederick County, Virginia.  His family had arrived in the Colonies from Germany early in the 18th century.

In July, 1779, at the age of 25, John was drafted into the Militia of Rockingham County, North Carolina. He served continually for three years; probably under Captain Owens in the infantry.  His wife stated he had been present during the capture of Appomattox, Virginia and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis in Yorktown on October 19, 1791. (Yes, there was an Appomattox River Battle during the Revolutionary War. In 1781 British General Wm. Phillips attempted to cut the Colonial supply lines near Petersburg, Virginia and the colonists, under Baron von Steuben and Muhlenberg, managed to stop him.)

He was married first to Mary Musgrave and second to Jane Wright.  Together these marriages produced seventeen children.

John’s death was recorded in 1834 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.