My Genealogy Hound

Col. John A. Lindsay, farmer and stock raiser is a native of Kentucky, and was born in what is now Carroll County, on the 7th of July, 1820. His parents were Gen. Jesse Lindsay and Priscilla (Ficklin) Lindsay, of Kentucky, who lived in that State, and were married there in its earlier days. They settled in Carroll County as soon as the Indians were moved from that section, and commenced farming and stock raising. The elder Lindsay served through the War of 1812, and was afterward militia general for a large district in Kentucky. He also filled the office of sheriff of both Gallatin and Carroll Counties, and at one time was elected magistrate; and by virtue of being the oldest magistrate in the county, held the first term as sheriff, in accordance with the laws of the State. Gen. Lindsay, in his day, was one of the best-known men in that locality, and as an official was fearless in the discharge of his duty. As sheriff, he was held in the highest respect by the entire district he covered, and his name was a check of the strongest kind on the law-breakers of that community; as a magistrate, his fame was widespread. He died March 6, 1875, greatly mourned by all who knew him. Col. John A. Lindsay remained in Carroll County until he had attained his eighteenth year, and then moved to the State of Arkansas, in 1888, locating in Lawrence County. As Washington was called the father of his country, so might Col. Lindsay be called the father of Powhatan, as he laid out that town, and established the ferry across Black River. Upon his arrival in Lawrence County he cleared the land, and commenced farming where Powhatan now stands, and at one time owned some 10,000 acres of land in this county. He now possesses about 2,000 acres, and six valuable farms, and is one of the wealthy men of Ashland Township. In 1861 the Colonel received the captain’s commission of an independent company, who were armed, mounted and equipped at their own expense, and requested to report to the nearest command for home protection on special duty. This company afterward entered the Confederate army, and performed good service for the Southern cause, their captain being promoted to colonel. In 1864 he joined Gen. Price, but more in the capacity of guide than for actual battle, as he was thoroughly acquainted with the country in which they were traveling. The war was an occasion of heavy losses to Mr. Lindsay, on account of his having credited an immense amount of goods previous to its advent, and then not being able to collect. He was married at Powhatan, in 1840, to Miss Martha A. Ficklin, of Missouri, a daughter of Asa P. Ficklin, who died in 1878, after a faithful and happy married life of almost forty years. One son was born to them, who lived until his thirty-seventh year, and died in 1879, Asa T. Lindsay. The Colonel is a member of the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar, belonging to Powhatan Lodge No. 72, besides being a member of Hugh DePayne Commandery, at Little Rock.