**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of George E. LINDZEY Pages 269-270, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins [Surnames: DIX, LINDZEY, LYNN, NOBLE, ROGERS, WILLIAMS] GEORGE E. LINDZEY. How frequently is it the case that natural ability and energy combined accomplish truly wonderful results, raising a man from the obscurity of poverty to the importance and publicity that great wealth brings. Truly, what is commonly called "self-made men," are usually those that occupy the highest positions both in National and State affairs, and reach higher positions in the commercial world than those whose childhood was surrounded by every opportunity. The subject of the present sketch commenced life with virtually nothing, so far as finances go; and has by dint of good judgment, pleasing address and energy, amassed quite a comfortable fortune. At this writing he has retired from active business, and passes his days at his handsome residence on Main Street in Farmington. His health is poor indeed, and it was partially for this reason that he concluded to settle in this city, hoping the pure atmosphere and pleasant society found here would benefit him. Mr. Lindzey was born in Worcester County, in the State of Massachusetts, being the son of William Lindzey, and his natal day fell upon the 12th of February, 1843. His earliest recollections are of Greenville, a little cotton manufacturing village about ten miles from Providence, where he attended school for a time. However, the greater part of his education was received in the common schools of Fairview Township, and much of his youth was spent on a farm. December 2, 1880, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Martha Williams, of Hillsborough, Ohio, daughter of Addison and Margaret (Noble) Williams. Her grandfather, Daniel Williams, was a native of North Carolina, but emigrated to Ohio at an early date. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father was born in Highland County, Ohio, and in that State married. The mother died in 1850, at the age of thirty-two, leaving five children, only two of whom reached maturity, viz.: Martha (Mrs. Lindzey), and John N., who is a carpenter and lives in Decatur, Ill. He married Miss Martha Lynn, of Sullivan, Ill. Soon after sustaining the sad loss of his beloved companion, Mr. Williams moved to Iowa, but in a short time removed to the State of Indiana, where he married. His daughter was brought up by her paternal grandparents, and when they died she went to live with an aunt, Mrs. Caroline Rogers, near Hillsboro, Ohio. Mrs. Lindzey's father served through the late war. He was severely wounded at Richmond, where he was taken prisoner and allowed to languish away in Andersonville Prison, in the spring of the year that witnessed the restoration of peace throughout the country. Our subject and his wife have never been blessed with children. They are both exceedingly popular in the community in which they reside, and possessing all the comforts of life, watch they years glide swiftly by. They settled here in 1890, taking possessing of the residence they had built during the preceding year. Mr. Lindzey cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and is still a strong supporter of the Republican party. He is generally respected for his strict integrity and high sense of honor, both in the great and small affairs of life. He owns a considerable amount of real estate in Farmington and other places. He is besides, interested in stock-raising, owning some extra fine horses and cattle. Our subject's father, William Lindzey, was an Englishman by birth and education, and for many years after reaching manhood worked in the cotton and woolen manufactories of that country. After coming to the United States he continued his work in these manufactories through the Eastern cities, moving from place to place in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island; and in the fall of 1850 removed from the latter State to Illinois, making the trip by boat and rail to New York City, and then up the Hudson, and finally by way of the Great Lakes, Illinois Canal and Illinois River to the mouth of Copperas Creek. After reaching this State he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairview Township. He next removed to Yates City, where he owned real estate. His death occurred in the year 1876, after he had attained his seventy-second birthday. William Lindzey was married in England to Miss Hannah Dix, and after the birth of three children came to America, as above stated. They were the parents of ten children, named as follows: John, Caroline, Emma, Matilda, Harriet, Hannah, James, George, and two who died while young. To such men as our subject the United States owes her present enviable reputation in commercial circles--men who, not afraid of personal hardship and the trials that in an active career without financial assistance only too naturally come to each life, are strong and brave enough to carry out Hamlet's advice, and "by opposing troubles, end them."