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The history of the Charleston Area Charitable Foundation began in 1906. That year, the Linder Brothers partnership was formed by three brothers - John, George, and Walter Linder. The brothers had numerous business interests and holdings in the Charleston area, including a grain and dairy farm two miles west of Charleston, a grain business in Loxa, the Charleston Hotel Company, the Charleston Dairy Company, the Charleston State Bank, The Charleston Trust and Savings Bank and Linder Clothing Store.
Seven years after the formation of the partnership, in February of 1913, at age 37, Walter Linder died of a failed hernia operation in Chicago. His obituary described him as one of the most prominent young businessmen of the city.
The following year, in June of 1914, at the age of 45 John Linder died of a heart attack while working on his farm. The Linder family tradition of helping others may have begun with John, of whom it was written that he was generous and anxious to encourage those who were deserving.
The remaining brother George focused his efforts on the clothing business. The location of the clothing store was at the comer of 6th and Monroe in Charleston. It was from this location that the Linder family fortune was grown and managed.
In 1890, George married Blanche Sefton and they had three children -- George Jr., who died at birth, then Lewis and Mary. The entire family worked in the clothing store, and it grew and prospered. Tragically in 1924, at the age of 57 George committed suicide.
After his father's death in 1924, Lewis at the age of 32, assumed responsibility for the daily operation of the store and family properties. Blanche kept all the family's financial records and Mary maintained a very detailed diary which focused on family events and financial dealings.
Lewis Linder attended Eastern Illinois for two years and then completed his education at the University of Illinois. Mary also attended Eastern Illinois for two years and also completed her education at the University of Illinois. While Lewis ran the family business, Mary went into teaching first at Neoga, then Shelbyville and then for 22 years at Charleston High School. Mary was very active in the Christian Church of Charleston and various civic organizations.
Lewis served as president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce from 1930 to 1932. His devotion to his business and community was proven best during the years of the Great Depression.
The depression took a heavy toll on Charleston's banking industry. In 1931, there were four banks in Charleston. By January 1933, all four had failed, leaving Charleston without a bank. Lewis was not only instrumental in the creation of the Charleston National Bank in 1934, but would become a major investor in the bank and benefitted financially from its success.
An article in the student newspaper in 1934, referred to Lewis as a local haberdasher serving as a leader in securing a local bank and one of the city's most valuable civic leaders. As the years went by, the Linder family wealth grew under Lewis' control. Although Charleston was Lewis' first priority, he also had a deep interest in Mattoon. He owned a number of properties on Broadway, was a member of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce and participated in efforts to locate industry to Mattoon. The family owned many properties including half of the block on the north side of the Charleston square, 312 acres of farmland in Edgar County and 320 acres in Wichita, Kansas.
In 1948, Lewis sold the clothing store but retained the real estate. He then reacquired and resold the store two more times until he found individuals that managed the store to his liking. After the sale of the store, he focused more of his efforts on helping the community.
In 1955 Lewis and several other community leaders began efforts to build a new hospital located on 18th Street.
In 1957, Lewis' mother, Blanche Linder passed away.
Two years later, in 1959 Mary Linder passed away. She had never married.
After their deaths, Lewis became more involved in local events, especially the EIU Foundation. He made very significant gifts to the University. In 1960, EIU President Quincy Doudna stated, "The Linder family has been prominent in Charleston for over half a century. We at Eastern are proud that Mr. Linder has chosen to use the University in this way to help perpetuate the name of one of Charleston's best known families."
Later, Lewis was key in forming Charleston Industries, Inc. The purpose of the corporation was to attract new industry to Charleston. Charleston Industries efforts contributed to the siting of Moore Business Forms, Brown Shoe Factory, Calderwood Corporation & Hi-Cone in Charleston.
Lewis reluctantly accepted recognition for his efforts. In 1967, Lewis was presented with the first lifetime membership in the EIU Alumni Association. In 1968, he was selected as the Male Citizen of the Year by the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. The nomination stated:
Lewis is a well-rounded man, for his civic efforts have been in all spheres. Perhaps the phrase behind-the-scenes should be more liberally applied to this man, because he has never sought, nor desired, publicity for the work that he did for Charleston and its citizens.
His behind-the-scenes work has been felt in all aspects of the development of this community. The amazing thing about this man's life is that he has been able to accomplish so much and still has the full respect of the entire community. This man has really lived his life in a way he would like the city to be...full of vigor, interested in all things and all people, and ready to make this city the best possible place for its citizens to call home.
Lewis Linder passed away on July 17, 1971. He also never married.
The Linder family had a desire to give back to the community that was home to them. That desire was manifested in their estate plans.
Blanche Linder left her entire estate to Lewis and Mary in trust for their benefit for life. After the last to die, the trust was divided into two shares. Half was shared by the Charleston Cemetery Association, the Christian Church, and the Charleston Hospital. The remaining half would go to an unnamed beneficiary for the benefit of the Charleston community and managed by Charleston National Bank.
Mary Linder left her entire estate to Lewis in trust for his benefit for life. After his death, her trust would be divided into two shares. Half was shared by the Charleston School District, the Christian Church, and the Charleston Hospital. The remaining half was left to an unnamed beneficiary for the benefit of the Charleston community and managed by Charleston National Bank.
Lewis Linder left some specific bequests in his estate. The remainder was left in trust for life to a close friend, Winifred Holaday. After her death, the trust was divided into three shares. One-third was shared by the Christian Church and the Charleston Hospital. The remaining two-thirds was left to an unnamed beneficiary for the benefit of the Charleston community and managed by Charleston National Bank.
In 1985, the unnamed beneficiary got a name. Charleston National Bank trust officers, Royce Marble and Cecil Swedell, along with the bank president, Leonard Archer, an attorney named Woody Kramer, and a CPA, Lincoln Woodyard, formed the Charleston Area Charitable Foundation (CACF).
For the first 12 years of its existence, the CACF received its proportionate shares of the annual income from the three Linder trusts. In 1997 and 1998, following the death of Miss Holaday, the Linder trusts were terminated, and the remaining funds flowed into the CACF.
Over the years, the total funds received by the CACF from the Linder Family trusts amounted to just over $8 million.
Learn more about the Linder Family History.
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