Lindsley, H. A.

LINDSLEY, KYLE, MEGGISON, PATTERSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/14/2009 at 15:41:25

Lindsley, H. A.

There is no more genial or kindly man in all Jasper county than H. A. Lindsley, who, although young in years, has had a most eventful career, and the hard knocks and buffetings he has received have not altered him from a steadfast course or made inroads in his genial nature.

Mr. Lindsley was born in Mt. Auburn, Iowa, May 22, 1877, and he is the son of F. D. and Penena (Kyle) Lindsley, his father being a native of Illinois and his mother of Pennsylvania. As a family they are railroad men, the father having been engaged in railroading all his life. He came to Iowa in 1860 as a young man and settled at Mt. Auburn, where he engaged as agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota railroad, now a part of the Rock Island system. He held this position ten years, when he removed to Iowa City where he acted as railroad agent for twenty-one years continuously, or until his death, which occurred October 18, 1910. He became well known in railroad circles and was regarded as one of the road's most efficient and trusted employees. His wife still survives him, making her home in Iowa City. The father was a man of exceptionally fine and sturdy character, being fearless and outspoken, ever unswerving in the performance of his duty and a man who had a keen understanding and insight into the things in life worthwhile. He was a great lodge man, having been affiliated with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having attained a high rank in each, being a past master in the Masonic order. He had the admiration and respect of all who knew him. He was a veteran of the great Civil War, having enlisted in the Federal Army, in April 1861, in response to Lincoln's call for volunteers, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in April 1861, in which he served with distinction for two years in the Army of the West, in which he had many trying experiences in campaign and battle.

J. Clarence Lindsley, brother of H. A., of this review, is engaged in the railroad business at Iowa City and is well known there.

H. A. Lindsley attended the home schools in his youth, and he turned his attention to railroading when very young, being but seventeen years of age when he began as a brakeman on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, working in that capacity with success for four years, or until he was badly injured in a wreck. Upon his recovery he entered the engine department as fireman on a freight, at which he worked faithfully for three years. He then left the service of that road and began braking again, this time for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, running out of Rock Island, Illinois, continuing in this capacity until August 18, 1901, when he was promoted to the position of conductor, on account of long and efficient service. In this capacity he continued until March 4, 1903, when he was again injured at West Liberty, Iowa, this time so severely that he was totally incapacitated for duty until January 18, 1909, when he again began train service at Valley Junction, Iowa. On August 4, 1911, he was advanced to the position of conductor on the Newton and Monroe branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, which position he still holds, rendering his usual high-grade service.

On March 17, 1906, Mr. Lindsley was united in marriage with Vina Meggison, adopted daughter of S. Patterson, of Iowa City, Iowa, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Willard Leroy, whose birth occurred on June 4, 1908.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley are members of the First Presbyterian church of Newton, and, fraternally, he is a member of Iowa City Lodge No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Iowa City Chapter No.2, Royal Arch Masons; Rock Island Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, and the Kaaba Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Davenport, and both he and Mrs. Lindsley are members of Newton Chapter No. 100, Order of the Eastern Star, at Newton. He is also a member of the Order of Railroad Conductors, No. 106, of Rock Island. He stands high in all these orders, having long taken a deep interest in them, and his daily life would indicate that he is striving to live up to their noble precepts. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1253