The winner of the 2019-2020 Linnell Family Association Scholarship is Ellie Johnson, who was born on December 25, 2000. She lives in Wausau Wisconsin with her parents and twin brothers, Bennett and Jace. She started attending Alfred University in New York last fall, working on an Art Major and Arts Management Minor. Below is an excerpt from her winning essay, submitted last year.
Going out East, I will be able to experience so many new things that will provide me with stories that I can one day contribute to the Linnell family history. My great grandmother, Phyllis Hagen, was a true descendant of Robert Linnell. Her father was Ora Raymond Linnell (pictured left) who served in World War I and was the oldest son of William Linnell. I was never fortunate enough to meet my Great Grandma Phyllis, but I have been able to learn about her and hear many about her experiences through her husband, Guy Hagen. Looking on the Linnell Family Association Facebook page, you can read information about my Grandpa Guy who served in the Korean War, World War II, and Vietnam War. During his time in the military, he received 3 bronze stars (one
with valor), two purple hearts, five battle stars, the US Presidential Unit Citation, the French Croix De Guerre Unit Citation, and two Belgian Fourragere Unit Citations. Hist story has been told in three books and his World War II division, the 30th infantry, is up for a Presidential Unit Citation for being the highest rated position in the European Theatre and stopping the breakout of St. Lo at Mortain that could have prolonged the war for a whole year. My aunt, Michelle Green, is also recognized for her contributions to war. She served in the Iraq War as part of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, 1158th Transportation Company, Black River Falls. She specialized in hauling trucks and heavy equipment and was ordered into active Federal Service in Iraq and Kuwait. Having the opportunity to go on our family Facebook site to read about my close family members means so much to me.
Another person that was a great influence on the Linnell family would be my great uncle, Richard Linnell, Phyllis’s brother, he was one of the main people to help create The Descendants of Robert Linnell family book. He went to several grave sights throughout the United States to find information to help Rachel Wynn research information to create the book to the best of their abilities. He also visited many historical societies to search for information regarding births, deaths, baptisms, marriages, and anything else that could give us the generational ties to one another.
My second cousin Jason Quick, who was born to Jeanne Quick, has been trying to further the research on the Linnell family by using some of the ancestry websites to find more people and more information on our family. He has dedicated a lot of time trying to continue the book and further the exploration of our family’s history. Jason has been working specifically on the history and genealogy link for the Linnell family.
We are connected to the Descendants of Robert Linnell book through my mom’s side of the family, it is ironic that my dad also has a connection to the Linnell family book. His best friend, Shawn Linnell, grew up with him in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They were best friends while growing up throughout elementary, middle and high school. When my parents’ began dating in college, my mother and father were hanging out with Shawn, who is known as Nelly, to his friends. When my Mom met him she asked by he was called Nelly. He shared that his last name was “Linnell.” My mom was shocked to hear this considering she is also related to the Linnell’s. She immediately claimed that she was the official “Linnell” because she was in The Book. Nelly knew exactly what she was talking about because he was also in The Book!
I am lucky to read and learn more about my family through the hard work of many family members. The time and effort that everyone has been putting into books, Facebook, historical sites to help honor family that I have never met and the people closest to me is profound.
Reading about my Great Grandpa and my Aunt is so special because I feel such a strong connection and interest in hearing what they went through and how they risked their lives for the rest of us. I love learning about family members success that I have not been able to meet. I am sad that I was unable to meet founding members of the Linnell family, but thankful that I live in a social media generation so I can continue to connect and learn about my family members living in all parts of the country.
