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]
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]
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]
