Linder was born in the United States in Darlington, Wisconsin on 5 August 1907 to a circus performer who had emigrated from Switzerland.
This action led to the birth of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Following his retirement as a competing cowboy, Linder produced rodeo competitions, including one presented at Expo 67 in Montréal, Quebec.
Linder became a member of the (American) National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1980.
He was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1955 when it opened.