My Genealogy Hound

Elbert S. Lindsey was born in Benton County, Mo., March 30, 1849, and is the son of Felix G. and Elizabeth Lindsey. He attended the public schools, but his education was somewhat interrupted by the breaking out of the war, which closed most of the schools. However, he secured a fair education in the graded school at Stockton, and at the age of sixteen began to earn money for himself by herding cattle. He afterward engaged in the lumber business, which he continued for about six months, and by that time had saved enough money to send him to school. He attended two terms of five months each, and by that time was pretty well qualified to teach, which he did. His first school was at Hunters Point, Cedar Co., Mo., where he taught a five-months term. He then taught another term of five months, after which he went to Benton County, Ark., and taught the first public school taught in district No. 7 after the reconstruction. He then returned to Stockton, and took another five-months course, and continued to teach afterward until October, 1874. He then went to McDonald County, Mo., and clerked in a store at Elk Mills for John Streacher for five years, it being a branch house, and Mr. Lindsey having entire control. He then went to Eureka Springs and speculated in real estate for some time, and then returned to Elk Mills and engaged in general merchandising, which he has followed ever since; although he moved to Benton County in 1885 and located at Crump. It was through his efforts that the mail route, now in existence from South West City, Mo., and Bentonville, Ark., was established, and in him the prospect originated and by his industry was at last realized. Mr. Lindsey was married January 5, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Derrick, daughter of Rufus and Martha A. Derrick, of Benton County, Ark. The fruits of this union were five children: Rufus G., Ida L., Thomas W., Elbert M., and Eugene L. Mr. Lindsey is a Democrat in his political views, but refused to vote for Greeley. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.