John Lins

Lins was born on October 3, 1840 in what is now Germany.[1] He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1857. Later, he moved to Eagle, Wisconsin. During the American Civil War, Lins served with the 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Battles he took part in include the Battle of Lee's Mill, the Battle of Williamsburg, the Battle of Savage's Station, the Battle of White Oak Swamp, the Battle of Malvern Hill, the Battle of Crampton's Gap, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, as well as the Battle of Cold Harbor, during which he was severely injured.

Lins was elected to the Senate in 1881. That year, he was also a member of the Assembly. Additionally, Lins was a member of the Board of Supervisors and Treasurer of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He was a Republican.