Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Elbert S. Lindsey

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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 [p.859] 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.