2
Shortly after the death of his wife, Edward Lingo was introduced to an attractive young women who would make him forget the tragedy of losing Mattie. Flora Jane Amrine, who came from a prominent family in town, came into Edward’s life at the perfect time. He was just starting to operate his dry goods store and was taking care of his young daughter Oza.
Flora Jane Amrine
Allison Amrine was born in Union County, Ohio, in 1845, and raised by his father Josiah after his mother Sarah died when he was very young. Growing up in Union he worked on his father’s farm, gaining a strong work ethic. In 1862, at the age of 17, he enlisted in Company E of the 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He only served four months before incurring a disability. Two years later, on January 24, 1864, he married a local girl named Sarah Jane White, who is described as someone who had a “splendid sense of humor and a good spirit.”1
The couple lived in Union County, first in Leesburg Township and then Milford Center. Allison left his family’s farm to become a butcher in town, as well as serve as mayor of Milford Center and as a justice of the peace. In 1881, he moved his family to La Rue, where he continued his butchering business, called Amrine Meat Market. The family lived on East Vine Street, close to the Lingo home. The Amrine family also attended the Methodist church, where Allison was a class leader and superintendent of Sunday school.
Allison is described as a “splendid citizen and highly regarded by the people all over Western Marion County. His cheerfulness and kindness of heart won for him a host of friends.”2 Allison and Sarah went on to have three daughters; one died in infancy, while the other two survived, born 10 years apart—Flora on November 29, 1864, in Union County, and Clara in 1874. When Flora turned 17 years old, she arrived with her family in La Rue.
When Edward met Flora, he was quickly smitten with her. She was young and beautiful. She was also a good role model for Oza. The idea of marriage was quickly brought up. On August 24, 1884, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Edward, age 33, married Flora, age 19 (she would turn 20 three months later). The couple settled into home life on Vine Street. Edward continued to operate his dry goods store, battling every obstacle he faced. This time a fire broke out at the store. On May 17, 1887, the Marion Star reported the following:
Fire at La Rue
Early Monday morning a fire broke out in G. N. Myers stable in La Rue, and from there it cumulated to the general store of E. H. Lingo. The fire department was promptly on hand and succeeded in extinguishing the flames before they had gained much headway, and the rear of the store was the only part damaged. Mr. Lingo’s loss is reported at about $500, full insured. Myers’s loss is about $200 and without insurance.
E. H., being a good businessman, had the proper insurance, while his neighbor did not. Soon, however, the fire was the least of Edward’s worries, as Flora became pregnant with their first child. After three years of marriage, she gave birth to Donald Amrine Lingo on October 29, 1887.
The Lingo’s eldest son grew up to be 5-foot-9 and weigh about 160 pounds, with dark hair and blue eyes.
Edward and Flora were very happy, and the town of La Rue, as well as the “big city” of Marion, was starting to notice one of La Rue’s most successful businessmen. In the December 10, 1887, edition of the Marion Weekly Star, which was published by Warren G. Harding, future president of the United States, a short paragraph was written about Edward:
One of the gratifying instances of what pluck and energy will do is seen in the career of E. H. Lingo. He came to La Rue in 1880, and his trade has steadily increased as the years passed, and this year he had to enlarge his business room on Vine Street and it is now 80 by 22 feet. The interior is not only stocked with attractive goods, but supplied with fine showcases in front, and the rear half is supplied with a gallery about 100 feet long, used for the display of cloaks and other goods in season.
Just as Edward was becoming a success story, he suffered more heartbreak. Within a year, he lost his mother Emmeline (1888) and his father James H. Lingo, who passed away on February 28, 1889, at the age of 74. Both of his parents were buried in the Mt. Victory Cemetery in Hardin County. Although Walter Lingo would not get the chance to know his grandparents on his father’s side, he was ready to enter the world.
Walter Houston Lingo
Walter Houston Lingo was born on October 12, 1890, in La Rue, as the second child of Edward and Flora. The baby with blue eyes and light brown hair was destined to be the “King of Dogs.” In later years, Walter would claim that the officiating doctor at his birth was Dr. Charles Sawyer, who had his practice in La Rue but would go on to later fame as the personal physician of future president and Marion native Warren G. Harding and the first lady, Florence. The accuracy of this connection is hard to determine.
Sawyer graduated from high school near Nevada, Ohio, and earned his college degree from Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College in 1881. He moved to La Rue and practiced medicine in the small town from March 26, 1881, to December 10, 1893, before being appointed surgeon at the H. R. Allen Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sawyer returned to Ohio and opened his own sanitarium in Marion. In 1900, he organized the Dr. C. E. Sawyer Sanitarium, where he was president of the company and surgeon in chief. It was here that Sawyer would counsel Warren and Florence Harding.
In looking at the claim, the dates do match up—Sawyer would have been in La Rue in 1890, and was the town’s primary physician. Walter was always proud of the “fact” that Dr. Sawyer was present at his birth. Years later, he used the connection in his promotional material when advertising the Oorang Kennels—especially when Harding reached the White House and took Sawyer with him. It’s pretty safe to say the Lingo family knew Charles Sawyer. Walter would soon meet Sawyer and the president again in Washington while traveling with his Oorang Indians.
When Walter was two years old, his mother took him to Eyer Studios to get his first picture taken. With curly locks and a long gown, he gave the camera a serious look; however, this would change, as Walter grew to love the spotlight and being the center of attention.3
That same year, Edward and Flora had their third, and last, child—another boy. Edward Merle Lingo was born on January 17, 1892. Everyone would call him by his middle name for the rest of his life. “He was about 5-foot-8 and weighed about 180 pounds with brown eyes,” said Rick Swartz, grandson of Merle Lingo. “He was always pretty friendly with everyone and was a hard worker. He ended up working into his 90s. He would get along fine with his brothers the rest of his life.”
As with the previous boys, Flora trotted the trio to the photo studio, now Mitchell Studio, to get their pictures taken. First, the three boys posed for headshots together. The photo features all three trying to smile, with Merle looking like he might cry. For their full-body shot, Flora dressed the threesome in their Sunday best. The photo shows the Lingo boys at their most innocent time. Their future was ahead of them.
Edward and Flora were now parents of three growing boys and one teenage daughter (Oza was now 14). Aside from providing for his family, E. H. took care of his dry goods store with the greatest of ease. He knew how to run his business. On September 24, 1897, the Marion Daily Star reported on his next project, saying, “The sidewalk improvement fever has struck La Rue. Dr. J. K. Scott, E. H. Lingo, and A. J. Manley are each having cement walks laid in front of their respective properties. Several others are preparing to have the same kind of work done.”
The little town of La Rue was growing up, just like the Lingo boys. Having concrete sidewalks added to the town’s progression. As a new century approached, La Rue had a population of 997, and E. H. Lingo made sure his business and family were moving in the right direction.
Growing up in La Rue, young Walter gravitated toward the outdoors and raising animals, including dogs. He also loved to read. “He was an ardent reader. He read continually. He could cite the Bible verse for verse,” says Bob Lingo. “He was big on history too.” Reading was important to Walter, even at an early age. As a lad, Walter divided his time between hunting, working with dogs, going to school, hanging around his father’s shop, and reading books. The two authors that Walter gravitated toward were Horatio Alger and English novelist G. A. Henty.4
Alger and Henty each wrote more than 120 titles. Their books were popular in the United States during that time, especially with young boys. Alger’s stories, in particular, captured Walter’s attention. His stories are described as “rags-to-riches” tales, where the stock character, who leads an exemplary life, struggles valiantly against power and adversity. The Alger protagonists gain both wealth and honor, ultimately realizing the American Dream. The main character, a young boy, usually improves his social standing through the aid of an older, kindly, wealthy helping person.
From a young age, Walter wanted to live the American Dream and do it on his own terms. Thus, he was naturally drawn to the stories of Horatio Alger. He could see himself as one of Alger’s characters. Writing in his promotional catalog, Oorang Comments, Walter explains the influence of reading at an early age:
Really I attribute my early start to the Alger and Henty books, which I devoured when I was a boy. I know some people say they are overdrawn and improbable, but they gave me confidence in myself. You will recall that every Alger story had a boy for a hero who always conquered every difficulty and won a fortune. I got the suggestion deeply imbedded in my mind that if other boys could do it I could.5
Walter Lingo would now live his life like a Horatio Alger character—trying to live the American Dream by becoming a success story, just like his father—only he was going to do it selling dogs, not running a dry goods store.
Walter Lingo Sells His First Dogs
At the age of nine, Walter made his first venture into the business world. He owned a spotted coon hound that became pregnant. Unaided by adult advice, he sent a 25-cent advertisement to a local hunting-and-trapping publication (most likely Hunter-Trader-Trapper magazine, published in Columbus) and offered his puppies for $10 apiece (cash in advance). He received orders for 12 dogs—five more than his hound had birthed. He was obliged to return five orders and the cash, but he advised each prospect that when he had more dogs in stock he would write, so the order could be renewed. It was a learning moment for young Walter, but he now knew his destiny. He was going to sell dogs. He would be the best in the world at it. Said Walter, “That initial success of nine years of age, when I received 12 orders for dogs on an advertising investment of 25 cents, gave me a vision of what I might do as a specialist in dogs.”6
It was a successful first outing. Walter also learned a key lesson—the power of advertisement. He saw that taking out an ad could draw potential buyers. Even at a young age, he had the flair for promotion. He would use this experience, along with witnessing his father operate his store, in establishing his dog empire.
As the calendar turned to the year 1900, the young Lingo boys were learning to be men. Donald, age 13, Walter, age 10, and Merle, age 8, attended school and spent time learning the family business. Eventually, the eldest, Donald, would take over as head of the E. H. Lingo Company.
In 1906, Donald graduated from La Rue High School. At graduation, he spoke to his class of seven (as well as to the entire student body—about 75 students) in a speech titled “The Stars Are with the Voyagers.” He talked about how “each star should inspire us with a hope for brighter and higher aims.”7
Being the eldest, Donald was the first and only Lingo child to attend college. He enrolled in Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, approximately 60 miles south of La Rue, just outside of Columbus. Donald became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and majored in science. He would spend the next four years earning his degree.
As Donald went off to college, Walter made his way through high school in his brother’s shadow. Donald had been popular and at the top of his class (albeit a small class) with excellent grades. Although Walter was smart, his passion and energy were not confined to books and classrooms. He wanted to venture out into the world. Throughout his adult life, running the Oorang Kennels, Walter would routinely tell the story of how he left his home in La Rue when his family gave him a hard time. He talked about “running” away from home to tackle the “real world”:
I guess I was the black sheep of the family. Every time I got a real licking [from family] I’d go out to see the world. One summer I ran off to New York. I was just 12 years old at the time. Another time I got a job as a newsbutcher [sic] on a train, and still another time I skipped out west and spent the summer with the Indians.8
In the summer of 1906, at the age of 15, Walter convinced his father to let him take a summer job in Columbus, working for the Union News Company (UNC). The UNC was a branch of the American News Company and existed solely to sell newspapers and magazines on the railroads. With more than 300 newsstands in railroad stations, which, by 1893, covered 40 percent of the U.S. railroad system, the UNC was paying $1,000 a day for exclusive rights.
Lingo was excited about living on his own in Columbus (he made an arrangement to live with the Johnson family) and making a living. On May 31, Walter wrote a letter to his parents.
Dear Father and Mother:
Arrived in Columbus all right and immediately hunted for the Union News office. Secured my job but won’t go to Springfield until the coming week. I make a run from Columbus to Cleveland tomorrow starting at 9:30 a.m. And make the run again on Saturday. My suit cost $7.50, and they furnished the buttons but I have to give $1.00 for the [—] or else pay a rentage of 10 cents per week for it. But I prefer the latter.
I am at Johnsons, where I will stay while here in Columbus. Sign these papers as soon as possible and send them to me in care of the Union News Co. These papers are just a mere form is all, and they are required for [me] to hold the position.
I think I can make it all-night, and I want you not to have a long face, for it never does any-body good. I come over on the Internumber [train] and had the life jolted out of me, and if any of you people ever come over here I advise you to take the Hocking Valley [train]. I would write more only I haven’t got time but will write you a nice large letter as soon as I can.
Love to all,
Walter9
The next day, Walter wrote another letter, this time addressed to his father, on Union News Company stationary.
Dear Father,
Am going to begin my run at 9:25 a.m. It is just 8:35 now, and I am down here at the Union News office, and as I had nothing else to do I thought I would write you. I have got quite a few pointers from the boss and have already got acquainted with several of the newsboys and they seem like nice fellows.
Well I have no more time so I will have to close. Send in those papers as soon as possible.
Your son,
Walter10
These are the only surviving letters from that summer. They show that Walter was enthusiastic about making his mark on the world, and he wanted to share that with his father. He not only wanted to be a success, but also demonstrate he could do it on his own. It also showed he didn’t want his family to worry about him, telling his parents not to show a “long face,” which wouldn’t do anyone any good. These summer trips would always end with Walter returning home to La Rue in time for school.
As much as Walter wanted to be the black sheep of the family, these journeys weren’t spontaneous escapes from home, but rather calculated ventures to provide him with much-needed work experience. They taught him how to work hard and deal with people.
During some of Walter’s summer working trips Edward would help his son financially. When Walter was away he tended to his son’s dog-breeding projects, making sure they were taken care of. The small number of dogs sold throughout town would give Walter some extra cash when he returned home.
In 1907, Walter was part of a group in town called the Olympia Athletic Club, which put on an athletic carnival at Delauder’s Opera House. The event featured boxing and wrestling matches; a military-drill exhibition; and a presentation of Julius Caesar, performed by Walter and fellow schoolmate Ralph Kemper.11
Soon, however, for the first time, Walter’s attention would be focused on a girl.
Lola Shirk
While attending high school (and maybe even sooner), Walter started to notice Lola Shirk, who came from a hard-working family in town. Her father, Oliver Shirk, had just an eighth-grade education and was a day laborer, working odd jobs in La Rue, while her mother Emma was a stay-at-home mom, watching over six children (Walter, Martin, Lola, Johnie, Floyd, and Martha)—four boys and two daughters. Walter and Lola soon became an item.
Lola was a year ahead of Walter and graduated from La Rue High School in the spring of 1908. She was ready to get married, and Walter popped the question despite the fact he had one more year of high school. During the summer, the young couple said their “I dos.” On September 5, the Marion Weekly Star mentioned the couple for the first time: “Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lingo were Marion visitors Friday.” Both of them would live at the Lingo residence on East Vine Street.
The following year, Walter finished his senior year with high marks in the classroom, while serving as manager of the baseball team. His senior class would have a whopping 13 graduates—nine girls and four boys. Graduation was held at Delauder’s Opera House on May 21, 1909. At graduation Walter was asked to give a speech, which he titled “Reveries,” the state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts—a daydream. It was perfect for the young man who grew up reading about living the American Dream and devouring rags-to-riches stories. On the cusp of being a man, Walter, who had grown up to be 5-foot-8 and weigh about 175 pounds, spoke in a clear and masterly voice about his first day of school four years earlier:
Its significance remains with us forever. When with fearful expectation and yet with a feeling of pride, we made the first step in the direction which would shape our destiny for the future. Mother’s kiss was not forgotten, and immature facilities struggle to maintain her tender words of instructions, which if followed would guide as so skillfully through the mysteries, which lay before us.
Education is a strange thing, and we are oftentimes led to be deceived by its varying limitations. Education is for service. It increases individual efficiency. It enables a person to express in the best manner possible his individual personality. Increased knowledge is power, but all this implies is responsibility.
Do not judge us dear friends by the present. Nor criticize our faults of the past.
For it is sometimes the poorest beginner that wins out in the race at the last, if we profit by defeats and failures, and fall by the way all aghast, who know but our aim may be reached.
Like the sailor that held on to the mast.12
Walter gave an interesting speech to his family and fellow graduates. He was ready to leave school behind and tackle the real world. That September, he accompanied his father on a two-day trip to the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, where he would get more work experience at one of the country’s largest state fairs. It was there that he would eventually display his show dogs, at the fair’s annual dog show. It would also be one of the last road trips he would take with his father.
A month after visiting the Ohio State Fair, E. H. Lingo started to experience health problems. He routinely traveled to the hospital in Marion to get medical checkups. The following spring, on May 11, 1910, the Marion Daily Mirror wrote that E. H. “is slightly improved and there are now hopes for his recovery.” During his senior year at Ohio Wesleyan, Donald would come home on weekends to visit his ailing father. The eldest Lingo boy would spend quality time with his father, making him feel better and keeping an eye on the family store. During the holidays, E. H. and Donald made sure the store was showing the Christmas spirit. The Marion Daily Mirror wrote on December 21, “Our business places are all in gay Christmas attire, and old Santa Claus the gift giver shows himself each afternoon in the north window of Lingo’s store to the great delight of many young people.”
The store had become a staple in La Rue, and everyone knew the Lingo family. Small touches, like a holiday window, brought joy to the citizens of La Rue. After three decades in business, the Lingo store was part of the everyday lives of the citizens in the small town.
In the spring of 1910, Donald finally graduated from Ohio Wesleyan with a bachelor of science degree. He was president of his senior class. His favorite quote that appeared in one of his yearbooks read, “Keep on, you’ll make yourself solid, yet.” He was ready to take over his father’s business.13
During the next year, Edward’s health continued to deteriorate. The Lingo boys, Donald, age 23, Walter, age 21, and Merle, age 19, could see that their father didn’t have much time. The four men soon talked about the future of the family store. After lengthy discussion, the group decided to incorporate the business. In January 1912, the E. H. Lingo Company was officially incorporated with the state of Ohio. The Marion Daily Mirror reported the big news the next day:
Among the list of new incorporations sent out by the secretary of state at Columbus, Saturday, there appears the name of the E. H. Lingo Co., at La Rue. This is the firm which has been in existence for about 32 years, which was never incorporated. The firm includes Mr. Lingo and his sons Donald A. Lingo and W. H. Lingo, and the stock is that of a general store, valued at $20,000. Mr. Lingo and his partners will make no changes at the present time, in their stock or store building.
The Lingo family business was split into three parts, with each of the three Lingo boys getting a share of the store. “The company was divided into three owners,” said Bob Lingo. “Donald owned 34 percent, Merle and my dad had 33 percent apiece.” Edward also sold five lots (building dwellings) to the E. H. Lingo Company for two dollars. The future of the store was in good hands. Edward could relax. Ten months later he was gone.14
The Death of E. H. Lingo
At 6:30 p.m. on November 5, 1912, Edward Houston Lingo died of a stroke at his home in La Rue at the age of 61. For nearly 35 years, the man had made the E. H. Lingo Company a staple in the town of La Rue. In the next day’s Marion Daily Star, E. H. was called a “highly respected citizen” and an “active member of the Methodist Church.”
Because of his bad health, which had lasted for almost three years, the Lingo family, especially the three boys, was prepared for the passing of dear Edward. Flora also had made peace with Edward’s declining health. They knew he was in a better place and would no longer suffer. The funeral took place two days later, on November 7, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, with Rev. B. F. Reading of Delaware officiating. He was assisted by Rev. M. C. Wisely.
After the service, Edward was buried in the Lingo plot at La Rue Cemetery. The simple headstone was a small stone tablet (two feet by four feet) that laid flat on the ground. It read, “Edward H. Lingo, 1851–1912.”
Walter never commented on the death of his father. It was evident that he loved him very much and learned a great deal from him. Said Walter,
My knowledge of salesmanship was largely acquired by studying my father’s business, and by analyzing advertisements very carefully on the theory that they would contain the very best possible selling arguments. In that way I picked up many ideas. It has always been my practice to learn from people. I manage to learn something from every person I meet.15
It was time for Walter to put what he had learned from his father into practice. It was time to become the King of Dogs.