J.H. Lindley, one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Lyon township, is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born in 1866. He is of honorable birth and highly connected. His parents were Osmond and Achsah (Wilson) Lindley, of North Carolina birth. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were slave holders, but being of Quaker proclivities they released their slaves, gave them their freedom, emigrated to the north and settled in Indiana. The Lindleys trace their ancestory back to "Lindley Hall," a historical and valuable estate in England.

James H. Lindley is one of twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz.: Sylvia, is the wife of Barclay Johnson, president of Southland College, a Quaker institution in the state of Arkansas; Alfred, a retired farmer and stockman of Neoga, Illinois; Frank, an attorney and loan broker of Danville, Illinois. He eschews politics and devotes himself to legal practice and finance. Guerney, a farmer of Fairmount, Indiana. John was deceased in 1890, followed by Horace and Charlie within eight months. The former and latter were both men of families. Horace was correspondent for the St. Joseph Herald. Fletcher is general superintendent of the Marquette Mining and Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, Illinois. Prior to entering their employ he was superintendent of a clothing manufacturing company. Erasmus, a young attorney of Chicago, is a graduate of Ann Arbor College and Law School, and a member of the firm of Walker & Payne, attorneys and counsellors, 184 LaSalle street. Maggie, wife of Edward Overman, both she and her husband are teachers in Fairmount, Indiana. Mary, the youngest member of the family, is assistant principal of Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.

Mr. Lindley came to Kansas with his mother, two sisters and a brother, at the age of twelve years; his father having died when he was ten years old. His educational advantages were limited to a training at home, but being of a studious and inquiring mind, he obtained a store of practical knowledge that is often of more value through life than a college diploma. On their arrival in Kansas they purchased eighty acres of the McCoy homestead, lived in a dugout with dirt roof and floor during the first winter and endured the hardships incident to pioneer life. In 1890, Mr. Lindley bought the farm and his mother returned to Indiana. In 1893 he purchased the other eighty acres of the homestead, where he now lives. His principal industry is wheat and corn, feeding and raising cattle and hogs.

Politically he is a Republican, and in 1898, received the nomination from his party for treasurer of Cloud county. His opponent, Edwin Coates, was elected by forty-five majority. Mr. Lindley is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, of Glasco. He is a self-made man, having been thrown upon his own resources early in life through the death of his father, and worked for three years at a salary of eight dollars per month, during their early residence in Kansas. His farm is ranked among the most desirable in that vicinity. Personally he is held high in public estimation and is one of the solid men of Lyon township.