Biography of Thomas Benton Lindsay

Thomas Benton Lindsay
Company D
1842-1927

Thomas Benton Lindsay was most likely born in Rainsboro, Highland County, Ohio on December 18, 1842. He was the youngest of thirteen children born to James and Elizabeth (Jones) Lindsay, both of Virginia. The family were members of the United Brethren Church. Around 1855, it is presumed the family moved to Cynthiana, Pike County, Ohio.

On August 9, 1862, Thomas entered into service. He enlisted in Company D of the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private for a period of one year. Thomas' brother, Jacob Jones Lindsay, entered into service November 1, 1861 as a private, also for a period of one year. On January 26, 1862, Jacob was promoted to a Second Lieutenant and was serving in the same company as his brother, Thomas. Both Thomas and Jacob served during the time of Harper's Ferry, where, as a consequence of the surrender of the place, the entire membership of the 60th became prisoners of war. They were paroled, and on November 10, 1862, were mustered out of service. Thomas' service didn't end there. He re-enlisted in the 24th Light Artillery Regiment Ohio, Unit 1967, on June 13, 1863. He was mustered out on June 24, 1865 at Camp Dennison, Ohio.

After the war, Thomas returned to Cynthiana, Pike County, Ohio, where he worked as a farm laborer on the family farm. On May 9, 1871, Thomas wed Catherine A. Clark of Waverly, Pike County, Ohio. Together, they had four children, three of whom lived to adulthood. Thomas and Catherine continued to live in Pike County until they moved to Twin Lakes, Calhoun County, Iowa on June 9, 1898.

By 1910, they had settled in Dickinson County, Iowa where they lived out their final years. Thomas was a free mason and a farmer. He died on October 20, 1927 at the age of 84. Both Thomas and Catherine were buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Lakeview, Dickinson County, Iowa.

A special thanks to Mike Lindsay for contributing this information. Thomas Benton Lindsay was his great great grandfather.