Thomas Lindsey

 

SOURCE: "Early History and Pioneers of Champaign County, Illinois," by Milton W. Mathews and Lewis A. McLean, editors of the Champaign County Herald, published by the Champaign County Herald, 1886

SURNAMES: LINDSEY, WILLIAMS, BRUER, MCWILLIAMS, THORNTON

 

THOMAS LINDSEY was born July 8, 1820, at West Middletown, Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father was Thomas LINDSDEY, his mother Permelia WILLIAMS. He came to this county in November 1841, and settled in Urbana - just after he became of age. He was married April 9, 1845, in Urbana, to Martha Ann BRUER, daughter of Asahel BRUER; she was born April 26, 1829. The children of this marriage were: William, Permelia, who married W. S. MCWILLIAMS, James, Charles, Laura Belle, who married James THORNTON, George, and Thomas Edward. Mr. Lindsey, though not a member of any church, was raised and was always a regular attendant on the Presbyterian church. Politically, he has been, and is now, a radical republican. He has never sought any office but has been school director pretty much all his natural life. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter and cabinet maker's trade in Pennsylvania. He followed the business here immediately upon his arrival and for twenty years he had the leading business in that line, in this city. To this he added the undertaking business. For many years he made all the coffins by hand, for this city and surrounding country. He charged $5.00 for the coffin and furnished everything else free.