Stephen Lindsey

Stephen Decatur Lindsey (March 3, 1828 – April 26, 1884) was an American attorney and politician from Maine. A Republican, he served terms in the Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate. In 1876, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1878 and served from 1877 to 1883.

This article is about the Maine politician. For the American astronaut, see Steven Lindsey.
Stephen Decatur Lindsey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883
Preceded byEdwin Flye
Succeeded byCharles A. Boutelle
President of the Maine Senate
In office
1869–1870
Preceded byJosiah Crosby
Succeeded byWilliam W. Bolster
Member of the Maine Senate from Somerset County
In office
1868–1870
Serving with Isaac Dyer (1868), Luther H. Webb (1869–1870)
Preceded byHenry Boynton, Isaac Dyer
Succeeded byFranklin R. Webber, Moses French
Member of the Maine House of Representatives from Norridgewock, Mercer, and Smithfield
In office
1856–1857
Preceded byAlvinzy Whitcomb
Succeeded byMartin L. Burr
Personal details
Born(1828-03-03)March 3, 1828
Norridgewock, Maine, United States
DiedApril 26, 1884(1884-04-26) (aged 56)
Norridgewock, Maine, United States
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Sarah Townsend
Mary Clark
Children6
ProfessionAttorney

Early life

Stephen D. Lindsey was born in Norridgewock, Maine, on March 3, 1828, the son of schoolteacher Melzar Lindsey and Melinda (Cannon) Lindsey.[1] He attended the local schools of Norridgewock and Bloomfield Academy, where his instructors included Stephen Coburn, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship.[2]

After graduating from Bloomfield Academy, Lindsey studied law with Norridewock attorney John S. Abbott, who later served as Maine Attorney General, and he attained admission to the bar in 1853.[3] Lindsey then purchased Abbott's office and began to practice in Norridewock.[3] In addition to practicing law, Lindsey was active in several businesses, including serving as president of the Madison Woolen Mill and member of the board of directors for the Somerset Railroad.[4]

Career

Lindsey became active in politics as a Republican, and served in the Maine House of Representatives in 1856.[3] He was clerk of the judicial courts of Somerset County from 1857 to 1860.[3] In addition, he was a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention.[3]

Lindsey served in the Maine Senate from 1868 to 1870, and was the senate's president pro tempore in 1869.[3] He was a delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention, and served on the Executive Council of Maine in 1874.[3]

In 1876, Lindsey was elected to the United States House of Representatives.[5] He was reelected in 1878, and served from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1883.[6] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1882, and resumed practicing law in Norridewock.[6] While serving in Congress, Lindsey was a member of the: Joint Committee on the Library;[7] Select Committee on the Payment of Pensions, Bounty, and Back Pay;[8] and Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State.[9]

In 1877, Lindsey administered a competitive examination for Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point).[10] The top score was attained by Charles L. Phillips of Waterville, whom Lindsey subsequently appointed.[11] Phillips graduated in 1881, served in the United States Army until 1920, and attained the rank of brigadier general.[12]

Death and burial

Lindsey died in Norridgewock on April 26, 1884.[13] He was interred at River View Cemetery in Norridgewock.[14]

Family

Lindsey's first wife was Sarah Townsend of Norridewock.[3] She died in 1867, and he later married Mary Clark, also of Norridewock.[3][15] With his first wife, Lindsey was the father of five children, three daughters and two sons; he was the father of a daughter with his second wife.[4]

References
  1. Maine Federation of Women's Clubs (1915). Maine in History and Romance. Lewiston, ME: Lewiston Journal Company. p. 60 – via Google Books.
  2. Maine in History and Romance, pp. 60–61.
  3. Maine in History and Romance, p. 61.
  4. "Stephen D. Lindsey: Some Additional Information Concerning the Late Congressman". The Evening Journal. Lewiston, ME. May 1, 1884. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Poore, Ben Perley (1883). Congressional Directory: Forty-Seventh Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 32 – via Google Books.
  6. Poore, p. 32.
  7. Poore, p. 97.
  8. Poore, p. 98.
  9. Poore, p. 96.
  10. "Town and County: Hon. S. D. Lindsey". Bath Daily Times. Bath, ME. March 27, 1877. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Personal: The Examination for the West Point Appointment". Portland Press. Portland, ME. April 19, 1877. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Thayer, Bill (July 4, 2016). "Charles L. Phillips in Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Volumes III to VIII". Bill Thayer's Web Site. Chicago, IL: Bill Thayer. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  13. Maine in History and Romance, p. 63.
  14. Who Was Who In America. Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who. 1963. p. 315 – via Google Books.
  15. Butler, S. W.; Brinton, D. G., eds. (May 11, 1867). "Death Notice, Saran Townsend Lindsey". The Medical and Surgical Reporter. Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien. p. 418 – via Google Books.


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