John Lindsey
John Lindsey (deceased), late of Holmesville, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., July 19, 1807, a son of John and Julia (Johnson) Lindsey, natives of Ireland, but of Scotch parentage. They came to America after their marriage, locating in Pennsylvania, and both died in Harrisburg. Our subject was left an orphan in his early boyhood, and was thrown on his own resources. He worked on a farm for a maternal uncle, some three miles east of Holmesville, until eighteen years old, and then began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1820 he came to Ohio, reaching Wayne County December 15, and located in Salt Creek Township, subsequently moving to Holmesville, a better point for his trade, which he here followed for many years.
Mr. Lindsey was married in Fredericksburgh to Mary Sturgis, a native of Ireland, born May 1, 1806. She was but a small child when she came with her parents to America, and made a home in Pennsylvania. They had three children: America, wife of Andrew J. Knox; Zarah and John W. The mother departed this life June 21, 1882, and August 3, 1889, the father followed her to the grave at the age of eighty-two years and fifteen days. On the 18th of January he was stricken with paralysis, from which he never recovered. Mr. Lindsey was a life-long Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1828. He always took an active interest in public affairs, and held several offices of trust and responsibility: was treasurer of Salt Creek Township, Wayne County, and held the office of justice of the peace nine years; he had been a member of the Masonic fraternity over fifty years, and in religious belief he was a Universalist.
John W. Lindsey, only son of the late John Lindsey, was born in Fredericksburgh, Wayne Co., Ohio, December 23, 1853, and received a common-school education. He learned the trade of his father, and February 2, 1879, he was married to Miss Ella, daughter of Thomas and Hattie (Halterbaum) Watson, and a native of Holmes County. Four children have been born to this union: John D., Thomas S., Joseph L. and Bessie M. After marriage Mr. Lindsey settled in Holmesville, where he is now carrying on the business started by his father, at the old stand, a trade at which, though yet a young man, he has worked twenty years. He is recognized as one of the rising, enterprising and upright business men of the place, and is widely known and much esteemed. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the school board. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
After the mother's death the aged father made his home with the son until death called him to his long home.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889