Samuel M. Lindley Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1193-1194 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				SAMUEL M. LINDLEY.  

	Samuel M. Lindley, president of the Security State Bank at 
Bonesteel, when nineteen years of age walked from Iowa to South Dakota 
and started in business life in this state in a humble capacity. Energy 
and industry, however, always come off conqueror in the strife with 
poverty and drawbacks and Mr. Lindley made steady progress, working his 
way upward until he is at the head of a strong financial institution 
which is bringing to him well merited prosperity. He was born at 
Blencoe, Iowa, August 3, 1860, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Grant) 
Lindley. The father, who devoted his life to farming, was one of the 
earliest settlers of that state, taking up his abode in Iowa in 1854. 
It was a great unsettled western wilderness, its broad prairies covered 
with the native grasses through the summer months and presenting a 
dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow through the winter seasons. He bore 
the hardships and privations of pioneer life and lived to see 
remarkable changes in the state. Both he and his wife are now deceased.  

	In his youthful days Samuel M. Lindley acquired a district school 
education and afterward assisted his father upon the home farm, early 
becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot 
of the agriculturist. The opportunities offered in Dakota territory 
attracted him and in April, 1879, when nineteen years of age, he walked 
from Iowa to Charles Mix county. He at first earned his living by 
cutting cord wood, then at rafting and later he established a wood yard 
of his own. His worth and strong manly qualities won him recognition 
from his fellow men and in 1881 he was appointed county commissioner of 
Charles Mix county, serving from October of that year until the 1st of 
January, 1883. He was then called by election to the offices of 
register of deeds and county clerk, serving in those capacities for six 
years. During his last term Dr. Henry established a bank at Wheeler and 
Mr. Lindley was appointed cashier and five months later he purchased 
the bank, which he conducted at that place from 1887 until February, 
1903, when with the building of the railroad he removed the bank to 
Bonesteel. This is now the oldest bank in this part of the state and he 
has a good share of the business. That it has proved a safe, reliable 
moneyed institution is indicated in the fact of its long continued 
existence; but this does not comprise the extent of Mr. Lindley's 
business activities, for he is the president of the Security Investment 
Company and is a large dealer in both real estate and in cattle. His 
judgment is sound and his unfaltering enterprise has led him into 
active connection with many successful business concerns. 

	In 1884 Mr. Lindley was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie M. 
Marshall, a daughter of Charles Marshall of Wheeler. To them have been 
born five children, as follows: Irving D., who acts as cashier of the 
Security State Bank; S. Earl, assistant cashier in that institution; 
John A., who is in railroad service; Robert T., who is engaged in 
ranching; and Helen I., attending school. Mrs. Lindley and three of her 
children adhere to the Catholic faith, while the other children are 
Protestants in religious faith.  

	Mr. Lindley is a Mason, having membership in the blue lodge and 
chapter at Bonesteel, the Odd Fellows lodge at Fairfax and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He is a stockholder in the County Fair 
Association and is a member of the Commercial Club. His political 
allegiance has always been given to the republican party and aside from 
serving as county commissioner he was elected a member of the state 
legislature in 1901 and again in 1905, making a most creditable record 
during his connection with the general assembly, for he gave earnest 
consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement and 
left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of the 
state. He is interested in all that pertains to South Dakota's 
advancement and improvement. He favors good roads, believes in the 
continued improvement of the schools and holds to those measures which 
are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. As a business man and 
citizen he is ranked high in Gregory county.