Leo Finlinson Bio

Leo Finlinson

LEO FINLINSON, the eighth child of George and Susan (Trimble) Finlinson was born 2 November 1883 at Oak City, Millard County, Utah.

He grew up in a fine home under the guiding care of good Latter-day Saint parents who loved the gospel and taught it to their children by example as well as precept. 

Since he was part of a large family and they were not too well off financially, he and others of his family were taught to work hard and to be thrifty. This he has done all of his life.  He has always admonished his children to “Look around and see what there is to be done, don’t wait to be told.”

He was blessed with a wonderful companion, Lydia Lyman, daughter of Edward Leo Lyman and Mary Maranda Callister.  They were married 3 October 1907, in the Salt Lake Temple. Leo and Lydia reared a family of eight: Maidie, Grant Lyman, Virginia, Clara, Leo Lyman, Isabel, Julia and Richard Lyman Finlinson.

Leo was a successful farmer and cattlemen and has taken special pride in his fine gardens and fields. When the water turns were on, he got very little rest. In fact, the family accused him of sleeping with his boots on. He delighted in giving of his farm produce to friends who called at his home.  

Leo Finlinson

Leo could conduct most of his farming and ranching activities without ever getting off his horse. He always seemed to have a dog or two running alongside of he and his horse, as they were doing their chores. Even when he was socializing, Leo could be seen leaning on one of his legs which was crossed over the saddle while he visited with a neighbor or friend in the cooling shade of a tree.

He also took a great deal of pride in his home as he built the family home in Oak City. Leo, with the help of his brothers and others, began the construction on the house in the spring of 1915 and finished that fall. It was the center of activity for many years and later was inherited by his youngest son, Richard, who kept it open to family for 16 additional years.

Leo played the guitar and harmonica and sang and played the accordion. These talents were great assets to the family as they gathered around to sing and even make up songs. It became a way of life in the home. 

Many winter evenings were spent with his family around the old trilby stove, which he dearly loved, eating apples and popcorn and laughing at the funny things that had happened during the day. It was a habit of his to eat an apple each night before retiring.

Leo was a wonderful example to his children. He attended to his church duties faithfully. He had the gift for making and keeping friends, and was known for his hospitality and generosity. He had a knack of conversing with people, and was friendly to known and strangers alike. It wasn't unusual for him to bring strangers home for meals and night lodging. Both he and Lydia made guests feel welcome in their home.

He had a great philosophy. His admonition was always, "Look around and see what there is to be done, don't wait to be told."

After Lydia’s passing in 1958, “Grandpa Fin” spent time with his grandchildren and taught them to sing the songs he had taught his children. The grandchildren always enjoyed “Grandpa Fin’s” companionship as he showed them the family of small pigs, gathered eggs or let them ride the horse.

Leo lived on some years. There came a time when he began experiencing dementia. In spite of his inability to recall names, he always had pleasant and witty remarks. There was a sense of familiarity he exhibited with family members. He would often pat one's leg and say, "You've got a good leg there." He died October 24, 1967 at Orem, Utah County, Utah and is buried beside his beloved wife, Lydia, in the Oak City Cemetery.

Sources
Book: Keep Pullin' Ralph, The History of Leo & Lydia Finlinson, 1883 to 1967, compiled by William Finlinson Atkin, p. 80-82,127

Book: "George Finlinson Family (1835-1974)", compiled by Angie F. Lyman, p. 219-225.

Book: “Echoes of the Sage and Cedars” – A Centennial History of Oak City, Utah 1868-1969; Compiled by Margaret W. Roger, p. 331-332
Memories of Richard Lyman Finlinson, son and Diane Finlinson Miller, granddaughter