My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. LINDSLEY. Dowagiac numbers among its prominent and successful business men the subject of this biographical notice, who is a dealer in lumber and building material in this city. He is a native of New York, having been born in West Almond, Allegany County, January 15, 1858. His father, Lemon Lindsley, was born in Livingston County, N. Y., and was there reared to manhood, about which time he married Miss Mary A. Engle, the ceremony being solemnized in Allegany County. Her father, John Engle, was a prominent resident of Allegany County, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

After his marriage Lemon Lindsley located in Allegany County, N. Y., but five years later he removed to Livingston County, and subsequently came to Michigan, in 1863, and made settlement near Hartford, Van Buren County. Purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, about twenty of which had been improved, he devoted his attention to its cultivation and succeeded in transforming it into a well-improved tract of land, embellished with substantial farm buildings. There he remained until called hence by death in 1879. His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living, and three of their four children are living: John A., Edwin M. and Washington, all of whom are in business together. Politically, the father of this family was a Republican, and gave his influence to promote the welfare of his chosen party.

When about five years old our subject accompanied his parents to Michigan, where he grew to manhood upon his father’s farm. After completing the course of study in the common schools he entered the Commercial College at Valparaiso, Ind., and there prepared himself for active business life. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, which important event occurred on the 21st of December, 1880, the bride being Miss Mary L., the daughter of Augustus N. Spaulding, formerly a prominent and extensive farmer of Grass Lake Township, Van Buren County, but now a resident of the village of Hartford. The young couple located at Hartford, Mich., where Mr. Lindsley engaged in the lumber business in partnership with his uncle, John W. Travis. He remained in business in that place for five years, and in 1885 came to Dowagiac, where he established his present business, forming a partnership with Aaron Hathaway, of Paw Paw, Mich. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Lindsley purchased Mr. Hathaway’s interest and has since been alone. His business is the most extensive in Dowagiac, and is also one of the most successful enterprises of the county.

In addition to his lumber business, Mr. Lindsley is engaged in farming and owns a splendid farm of eight hundred and eighty acres in Rooks County, Kan., which he has sub-divided into several farms and rents to tenants. While not solicitous for office, Mr. Lindsley maintains a constant interest in public affairs and is a pronounced Republican. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has served for many years as Trustee. He has represented the First Ward in the City Council, and while residing in Hartford served as Town Clerk and Trustee of the schools.