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William Lindsay

The gentleman whose name appears above, and who was late a resident of Eden township, Fayette county, was a son of Alexander and Jane (Burns) Lindsay and a younger brother of John B. Lindsay, who is noticed elsewhere in these pages.

Born September 19, 1836, in Lancashire, Scotland, he spent his childhood and early youth in his native land and in 1851, when a lad of fifteen, accompanied his parents to the United States, spending the following three years in the state of Illinois. Later in 1854, he moved with the family to Fayette county, Iowa, and immediately after arriving at his destination assisted his father in erecting a log house on the latter's farm in Eden township, following which he addressed himself to the task of clearing and cultivating the land. Like a dutiful son, he remained with his parents and looked after their interests and comfort as long as they lived, his mother departing this life in 1862, the father five years later, both being sixty-five years old when called to the other world.

Meantime, February 20, 1867, three weeks previous to the death of his father, William Lindsay was united in marriage with Mary Clyde, of Ayreshire, Scotland, who came to America with her father, Alexander Clyde, when twenty-one years of age, the two making their way direct to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they located on a farm, which Mr. Clyde purchased, he being a widower at the time and his daughter his housekeeper. She continued in that capacity until her marriage nine years later, after which her father sold his place and bought a farm two miles east of Waucoma in Eden township, where he lived until old age compelled him to forego further active work, when he rented his land, and spent the remainder of his life with his daughter, dying in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years.

William Lindsay made substantial progress as a farmer and in due time became one of the most successful men of his calling in Eden township, prominent and public spirited in all that pertained to the community's welfare. Like the majority of enterprising farmers, he gave special attention to the breeding and raising of fine livestock and always kept on his farm a large number of thoroughbred high-grade cattle, which he sold at liberal prices. He always endeavored to keep abreast of the times on matters of public interest, kept himself well-informed on the leading questions and issues of the day and gave his support to the Democratic party, although never actively engaging in politics. Before leaving his native country he united with the Congregational church and after coming to Iowa became a charter member of the local branch of that denomination in Waucoma and continued faithful to the same as long as he lived, living a life singularly free from fault, demonstrating the beauty of Christianity when practically applied.

This estimable gentleman and representative citizen wielded a potent influence for good among all with whom he associated, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community in which the greater part of his life was spent. After a mutually happy wedded experience, he was called to his final reward on May 3, 1897, and on the 3d day of January, 1906, his faithful and devoted wife and helpmeet was reunited to him in that world where the loved and lost are restored and where partings shall be no more.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay resulted in the birth of two children, a son by the name of Clyde, who died at the age of sixteen, and a daughter, Tina, who on October 3, 1900, became the wife of Charles Fee. Mr. Fee was born at Center Point, Iowa, January 16, 1874, and spent his early life in Linn county, where his parents, Matt and Hannah Fee, still reside. Since his marriage he has devoted his attention to the management of the farm in Eden township, on which he now lives, renting the tillable land and giving his time to stock raising, in which he is quite extensively engaged and in which his success has been most gratifying. The farm is one of the finest and best improved in the township, containing about two hundred and forty acres of fine land, and as a model rural home it compares favorably with any other place of like area in this part of the state. Mrs. Fee inherits many of the sterling qualities for which her parents were distinguished as is a lady of sound, practical intelligence, an excellent housewife, and keenly alive to the interests which have come to her by inheritance. She assist her husband in all of his efforts, presides with becoming grace and dignity over the household and is held in high esteem by her neighbors and friends of the community in which she lives.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Mary Thiele Fobian