MILTON LINDLEY

Los Angeles County

Biographies

MILTON LINDLEY

LINDLEY, MILTON (deceased), Merchant and Banker, Los Angeles, California, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, in the year 1820, the son of David Lindley and Mary (Hadley) Lindley. He married Mary A. Banta at Belleville, Indiana, in 1849, and to them there were born nine children, of whom six are living. They are Walter, a physician of Los Angeles; Hervey, a banker of Seattle; William, a physician at Albion, Idaho; Albert, a merchant of San Francisco; Arthur, a contractor of Imperial, California; Ida B., who makes the home for Madam Lindley in Los Angeles and Bertha (Mrs. John E. Coffin) of Whittier.

Mr. Lindley’s paternal ancestors were Scotch and English, while on the maternal side they were Quakers, of English and Irish extraction. His father was a farmer, who moved to Indiana when the boy was twelve years of age and there Mr. Lindley received his education, working on the farm until he reached his majority. He learned the harness and saddlery making business, and for twelve years was engaged in this vocation at Monrovia, Indiana.

In 1850 Mr. Lindley took up general merchandising at Monrovia, but after four years, on account of impaired health, he moved to Hendricks County, Indiana, and there went in for farming and outdoor life, returning later to the merchandise business. He remained there for twelve years, with the exception of a short absence when he was sent East, by capitalists of his section to study the new national banking system.

Upon his return to Indiana Mr. Lindley aided in the organization of the First National Bank of Danville, Indiana, remaining with that institution until 1866, when he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was in the real estate business there for nine years, or until 1875, when he moved to Los Angeles, having spent two winters in the latter place on account of his health.

Mr. Lindley purchased forty acres of land adjoining the western limits of the city and made his home there until 1882, when he sold the property. During his ownership he devoted the land to fruit culture, but in recent years it has been transformed into what is called Ellendale Place, one of the handsome residence sections of Los Angeles.

Early in his residence in Los Angeles County Mr. Lindley, a staunch supporter of the Republican party, became a factor in politics. In 1879 he was elected county treasurer of Los Angeles County and served for three years, holding over one year on account of a change in the State Constitution relative to county officers. In 1884 he was elected a member of the County Board of Supervisors, serving during the years 1885 and 1886. This was the last political position he held, but he never ceased to take an active interest in the affairs of the Republican party and was one of its advisers up to within a few years of his death in 1894.

Mr. Lindley is remembered as one of the men who took a prominent part in the upbuilding of Los Angeles, which was only a town of a few thousand inhabitants when he first landed there. He was an enthusiastic believer in the future of the city and did all in his power to advance its interests. He was an extremely active operator in real estate and was one of those pioneers who aided in making the city what it is today.

While a careful business man, he was also noted for his generosity and gave liberally to various church, charitable and educational enterprises, in addition to lending a helping hand to young men in business. He was a man of great principle and public spirit and, besides the part he took in the actual business development of the city, figured on frequent occasions in purely civic movements, intended for the general upbuilding of the section.

Mr. Lindley’s example has been ably followed by his sons, who today are among the leading business and professional men of the West. They are doing their share in carrying to completion the work begun by their father and other substantial men of his day.

He died at his home in Los Angeles May 11, 1895, aged 75 years.

Mr. Lindley’s widow still lives in Los Angeles, making her home with her daughter. Although 83 years old, she is in excellent health and in possession of all her faculties, and universally beloved by the many who know her.

Transcribed 6-6-08 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: Press Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 58, International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta. 1913.

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