Bio-Miller, SarahPyles

Sarah (Miller) Pyles
(1861-1930)

Sarah married Daniel Mitchel Piles (also spelled "Pyles") (1845-1922), the son of Thomas and Mariah (Riley) Pyles. The wedding between the 15-year-old bride and 31-year-old groom took place "on the highway near Tunnelton," on Feb. 24, 1876, according to the marriage license still on file today at the Preston County courthouse. The ceremony was performed by Daniel R. Fortney.

Daniel stood five feet, six inches tall, with a fair complexion, light hair and blue-grey eyes. He had been married once before, to Mary Catherine "Katie" Miller ( ? -1875), and brought four children to the marriage -- Nannettie "Etta" Pyles, Thomas H. Pyles, Nancy Zora Pyles and Mary Pyles. Mary, who had wed Daniel on Oct. 18, 1867, was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Hoelsman) Miller, and had died on Jan. 29, 1875.

The newlyweds Sarah and Daniel moved immediately from Newburg, Preston County to near Elizabeth, Wirt County, WV, where Daniel was a farmer.

They went on to have 10 children of their own -- Annie Sophia Florence, Sarah Catherine "Kate" Pyles, Daniel Hezekiah "Hez" Pyles, Caleb A. Pyles, Kelso W. Pyles, Mariah Belle Pyles, Jessie Louise Pyles, Sylvia McCauley, Charles "Raymond" Pyles and Robert Augustus Piles. They also raised a motherless grandson, Charles "Clarence" Florence, and "adopted Clarence into [their] heart and home where he became a son and brother."

Daniel served in the Civil War, as a member of the 6th WV Infantry. He enlisted at Rowlesburg, Preston County on May 18, 1863, when he was 18 years of age. The regiment was commanded by Charles Harrison. While on duty at New Creek, WV, in September 1864, Daniel was stricken with malaria that caused fever, kidney disease and sore back. The following month, he left the regiment for treatment at a hospital in Clarysville, MD. He returned to duty on Christmas Eve 1864 but continued to be jaundiced and may have been treated again in a hospital at Washington, DC. He rejoined his regiment for the second time on April 18, 1865 but still had traces of intermittent fever. Daniel received an honorable discharge from the Army at Cumberland, MD on May 30, 1865, upon the conclusion of the war.

Clarysville General Hospital in Cumberland as seen in 1864 -- where Daniel was treated for malaria during the war.

Upon returning home, to near Newburg, Preston County, Daniel often told friends about the soreness in his back and obstruction of his bowels and irregular heart beat. At age 44, in 1890, he wrote that "I have never been treated for said disabilities but have treated my self by using plasters on my back and using liniment and patent medicines for the first five years after my return from the Army.... I have done some work but it was with great boddily suffering but being poor I had to go when I was not able."

Friend Henry Newhouse, who lived within 200 yards of the Pyleses for eight years, and then within three miles for five years, once testified that Daniel "was complaining of with misery in his back and he would become so helpless that he could not help himself and I frequently had to chop his firewood and do his chores." Friend Robert H. Newhouse, of Morris, Wirt County, signed an affidavit saying Daniel was "totally disabled for the performance of manual labor. I know the above facts from personal knowledge from having heard him complain [and] of seeing him very frequently trying to work." Yet another friend, Stephen Vaught, also of Morris, Wirt County, believed Daniel's afflictions were of a "permanent character."

In 1893, 17 years after marriage, they were named in a legal agreement allowing their mother to take full possession of the family farm. Daniel signed his name, but Sarah, who did not know how to write, made her mark with an "X." In 1900-1920, they lived in the Tucker District of Wirt County, WV, where Daniel continued his labors as a farmer. They were members of the Central Hill Church, with which Sarah "was united ... early in life."

Locals pose for a photograph in courthouse square in Elizabeth, WV

Because of his wartime ailments, Daniel became eligible to receive a federal pension. He began receiving payments of $8.00 per month at some point in the 1890s. Over time the payments were increased, but Daniel had to apply for them as well. In December 1915, he wrote to the Pension Commissioner asking that a four months' arrearage be paid right away, "for I am in a close place... It will help me out of trouble about my Debts. The other olde soldiers around here received their increase as it came due."

In 1920, sons Daniel and Robert lived under their roof, as did widowed daughter Sylvia McCauley and grandson Clarence. Their farm consisted of a 100-acre tract, and the address was R.F.D. #3, Box #37, Elizabeth.

Daniel died in Elizabeth at the age of 77 on Sept. 6, 1922. The cause was heart failure, and no physician was in attendance. He was interred at Central Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Among those attending the funeral were John Newhouse and Daniel's former brother in law John W. Miller (1844-1929), both of Wirt County.

The Wirt County Journal published an initial death notice, but no more expansive obituary has been found. In the notice, the Journal wrote: "Daniel Pyles, an aged and respected citizen of Tucker District died at his home on route 3, on Wednesday morning September 6th. At press time we had no details as to funeral arrangements." Ironically, his death was described more fully in a Journal article two years later, in an obituary of a son, which states that Daniel "departed this life after an illness of only a few hours duration, at the age of 77 years."

Sarah outlived her husband by eight years. She applied to the federal government to receive her late husband's pension payments. In a letter on her behalf, to the Bureau of Pensions in Washington, DC, attorney J.H. Smith of Elizabeth wrote: "I therefore ask that the claim be allowed at once. Claimant is now an old lady and if this matter is delayed much longer she will get no benefits whatsoever." She was approved for a monthly payment of $40.00 in May 1930.

Later in life, she made her home in Pettyville, Wood County, WV. She endured the deaths of her adult children Sophia, Charles and Hez, the latter as a result of a coal mining accident.

As she lay dying, daughter Louise "remained by her side and was recognized and named by her as her guardian Angel," said the Wirt County Journal. Her grandson Clarence, whom she had raised, "showed his appreciation by closely administering to her every need until death."

She passed away at the age of 68, on Oct. 6, 1930, of infirmities caused by old age. She was laid to rest in Central Hill Cemetery. K.W. Pyles of Elizabeth, WV was the informant on her death certificate. In an obituary, the Wirt County Journal said she had "left this world prepared to meet her God. She was patient in suffering and while we feel our extreme loss we rejoice to know that God gave her a longed for repose in his mansion of rest." The obituary gives her middle initial as "Q." but in all other known references her middle name was "Louise."

Daughter Annie "Sophia" Pyles (1877-1904) met an untimely and useless end. Born in July 1876, she married Charles Florence (1867- ? ) on Dec. 12, 1896, when she was age 19 and he was 28. The groom was the son of Thomas and Lenora Florence.

The federal census of 1900 shows Charles and Sophia heading a farming household in Slate, Wood County, WV. Others living in their home were Charles' 63-year-old father Thomas and brothers Wade, Lysander and Camden.

Tragedy rocked the family in the early part of 1904. After having given birth, complications set in, and Sophia died shortly thereafter. No further details of her life are known.

Her son -- Charles Clarence Florence (1904-1960) -- was born on Dec. 22, 1903, and was raised by Sophia's parents. He grew to adulthood and married Dorothy Tuell (1916- ? ) on Aug. 15, 1936, in Parkersburg. She was the daughter of Robert and Malissa Tuell of Wirt County.

Charles resided in Elizabeth, and apparently was employed as a laborer in Ames County. At the age of 56, he died of a coronary occlusion in C. Clark Hospital. He was laid to rest in Parkersburg's Evergreen Cemetery. Dorothy Florence of Elizabeth was the informant on his West Virginia death certificate.

Grandson Charles Clarence Florence Jr. was born on Oct. 26, 1942 in Parkersburg. He married Edna Loretta McCutcheon (1941- ? ), daughter of Thomas Edgar and Edna (West) McCutcheon, on June 22, 1963. The wedding took place in or near the bride's hometown of Reedy, Roane County, WV, and was performed by Rev. Calvin McCutcheon of the Methodist Church in Reedy.

Son Daniel Hezekiah "Hez" Pyles (1882-1924) was named after his grandfather Hezekiah Miller. Hez is one of a frightening number of cousins in the extended Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family to lose his life in a coal, coke and steel related workplace accident. He left home at the age of 21 and, said the Wirt County Journal, "divided his time in coal mining, construction work, and timbering, besides 4½ years spent in Co. D, 7th Infantry, U.S. Regular Army. He was a 32 Degree Mason, having joined the shrine some years ago, and was always loyal to his fraternity." His family considered him to be "charitable by nature and had hosts of friends who looked upon him as a brother. He gave freely to every good cause and never left his fellow man in need when he could help him. He never united with any church but held a christian in high esteem."

At the age of 42, unmarried, Hez worked in a coal mine in Ronceverte, Greenbrier County, WV. Tragically, on July 20, 1924, he was caught in a fall of slate, which broke his back. He was taken to the Greenbrier General Hospital in Greenbrier County, where he languished for 17 days. Said the Journal: "While awaiting what he thought recovery he consecrated his life to God with the determination to serve Him fully the rest of his life, but pneumonia cut short his career and God called him home. He will be missed by all who knew him for his simple, cheerful, charitable and child like life." He on Aug. 10, 1924, and his remains were laid to rest in the Elizabeth Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Wirt County.

His family published a lengthy obituary in the Journal, headlined "In Memoriam," and wrote, "We, his Mother, brothers, and sisters, take this occasion to thank our friends for their kindness and sympathy during our hour of trial, and trust that we may all meet some glad day where trials and heart aches are not known."

Son Caleb A. Pyles (1884- ? ) married Nellie Miller (1884- ? ) on Dec. 23, 1904, in Wirt County. She was a native of Monroe County, OH, and the daughter of E.H. and Mary Miller. Because bride and groom were both underage (20), their fathers had to give consent. They had one daughter, Orma Pyles, born in 1906, in Athens, Athens County, OH.

By 1910, when he was age 25, Caleb was widowed, and had returned to West Virginia. Nellie's fate is not yet known.

In 1910, Caleb boarded at a lumber camp in Burner Village near Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, where he labored as a sawyer. That same year, on Dec. 27, 1910, he married his second wife, Ora Sophia Newhouse (1890- ? ), the daughter of S.J. and Annie Newhouse. Ora's father had to give his written consent to the marriage, as she was age 20.

The Newhouse and Pyles families were close, as Caleb's half-sister Nanetta "Nettie" Pyles wed Robert Hayes Newhouse Sr.

Caleb and Ora went on to have at least six more children of their own -- Millard Pyles, Phyllis Pyles, Neth ("Kath") L. Pyles, Hazel M. Pyles, William D. Pyles and Fay L. Pyles.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Caleb and Ora and their growing family of three children made their home on Row Avenue in Junior Town, Barbour County, WV. Caleb had found work there as a laborer in the booming coal mines.

By 1930, the family had migrated to Enterprise, Harrison County, WV. Their home was on Midway Avenue. Caleb's occupation was as a "machine man" at a coal mine. Erroneously, the census-taker marked Caleb's first name as "Charles."

Daughter Orma Pyles (1906- ? ) moved back to Wirt County, WV. There, she married Alfred E. Gray, son of Charles E. and Mary E. Gray of Roanoke, VA. Both wife and husband were age 21 at the time of marriage, which took place on Sept. 25, 1926, at Elizabeth, Wirt County. Rev. W.W. Metz performed the nuptials. Seen here, the Wirt County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

Son Kelso W. Pyles (1887-1971) was born on April 8, 1887. At the age of 28, he married 23-year-old Nora Ethel Robinson (1892-1967) in 1915 at Elizabeth, Wirt County. Nora was born at Kanawha Station, Wood County, WV, the daughter of James and Mary (Cline) Robinson of Wood County, WV.

The Pyleses lived in Ohio in 1917-1919 but returned to Wirt County. They had at least four children -- Alma Pyles, Lloyd M. Pyles, Robert W. Pyles and Paul S. Pyles.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1930, Kelso and Nora made their home in Wirt County, along with their four children and mother in law Mary Robinson. Next door lived Kelso's nephew Clarence C. Florence, mother Sarah (Miller) Pyles and unmarried sister Jessie Pyles.

Kelso and Nora lived at 2231 14th Avenue in Parkersburg, Wood County. Suffering from pancreatic bleeding, and hardening of the arteries, she was treated in St. Joseph's Hospital in Parkersburg. She died at the hospital, at age 75, on Sept. 5, 1967. Burial was in Sunset Memory Gardens in Parkersburg.

In 1930, when she was age 38, she was single and living in the household of her nephew Clarence C. Florence in Wirt County.

Daughter Sylvia Pyles (1895 - ? ) married Shirley McCauley (1897- ? ) in 1918 in Wirt County. He was the son of J.E. and M.J. McCauley. At the time of their nuptials, she was age 22, and he was 20. The wedding was held at the home of Wesley McCauley, led by Rev. R.A. McMillion, minister of the Baptist Church.

By 1920, she was widowed, and had returned to the home of her parents in Wirt County. Later that year, on Christmas Day 1920, she married Buzzy H. McMillion (1894-1947), the son of Robert A. and Mary C. (Haught) McMillion of Wirt County.

They lived in Pettyville, near Elizabeth, and had three children -- Ida Mae McMullen, Robert Lyle Million and Harry H. Million. (Their surnames may have been shortened at one point.)

Buzzy McMillion's employer, the 33-acre American Viscose plant in Parkersburg, employing 3,000 and manufacturing "Crown Brand" Rayon Yarns and Spun Rayon Fibre

Buzz was employed as an electrician at the American Viscose Corporation. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Workers of the World lodges. It is said that he was "quiet and withdrawn."

Sylvia was the proprietor of a beauty shop in their home. They were members of the Standing Stone Baptist Church.

At age 53, Buzz died in the Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital, in Parkersburg, Wood County, WV, on March 9, 1947. Funeral services were held in the Pettyville Methodist Church. An obituary in the Parkersburg Sentinel said Buzz had been "a resident of Pettyville for 27 years."

Daughter Ida Mae McMillion (1923- ? ) made her home as an adult in Belmont, Pleasants County, WV. She may have married Richard Allen McMullen (1918- ? ) on Aug. 23, 1941. At the age of 39, on April 3, 1962, she may have married Charles Raymond McMullen (1913- ? ). At the time, his residence was 4815 Camden Avenue in Parkersburg. Oddly enough, they were married again in a ceremony on July 4, 1963, held at the residence of Rev. Floyd Caplinger in Parkersburg.

Son Charles Raymond Pyles (1897-1913) resided with his parents in the Tucker District, Wirt County.

Tragically, while raccoon hunting at the age of 16, on Oct. 18, 1913, he accidentally fell and was killed. He rests near his parents at Central Hill Baptist Church. No Wirt County newspapers of that era have been located, though it is presumed there was prominent news coverage of this awful event. His death was referenced later, in the Wirt County Journal of Aug. 29, 1924, in the obituary of older brother Hez who was killed in a coal mining accident.

Son Robert "Augustus" Pyles (1902- ? ) married Beulah Lockhart (1900- ? ) in Wirt County in 1921. They were wed at her home on Lynn Camp. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Pyles.

Circa 1923, they resided in Palestine, Wirt County. That year, their one-day-old son Robert Pyles Jr. died at the tender age of one day on Feb. 16, 1923.

In 1952, said the Elkins (WV) Inter-Mountain, Gus made his home in Detroit, MI. His fate will be added here once learned.

Step-daughter Nanetta "Ettie" Pyles (1868-1952) was born on Oct. 18, 1868, in Preston County.

On April 2, 1885, when she was age 16, and he 23, Ettie married Robert H. "Bob" Newhouse (1862-1939), the son of Sanford (or "Samuel") and Sophia Newhouse of Pennsylvania. Because she was legally underage, her father gave his consent to the union.

They were longtime farmers and made their home near Mill Creek in rural Huttonsville, Randolph County, WV, in the Valley Bend community.

The Newhouses had eight children -- Clara Esther Knipple, Dessie (or "Bessie") Ernest, Robert "Hayes" Newhouse Jr., Roma Pingley, Gladys "Nettie" Tacy, Jessie Hartman, Missouri Newhouse and one other not yet identified. Sadly, daughter Missouri and the unknown child both died young.

Bob passed away of bronchial pneumonia at the age of 77 on May 14, 1939. Following a funeral at the home of his married daughter Roma Pingley, in Huttonsville, he was laid to rest at the Brick Church Cemetery. Officiating at the funeral was Rev. Dr. G.O. Yount of the Mill Creek-Huttonsville Presbyterian Churches. In an obituary, the Elkins Inter-Mountain said Bob "was a native of Pennsylvania, but had made his home in this county for a number of years."

Ettie outlived her husband by 13 years. She died of heart disease at the age of 83 on June 30, 1952. Burial was in Mill Creek Cemetery. The Inter-Mountain noted that she was survived by 23 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren.

Daughter Clara Esther Newhouse (1884-1941 ) was born on May 11, 1884 (or 1886) in Wirt County. She married Charles W. Knipple (1881- ? ), on Sept. 8, 1902, at Mill Creek, when she was age 18, and he 21. Charles was a native of Franklin, PA or Bedford County, WV. They resided for many years in Grafton, Taylor County, at the address of 527 Walnut. Charles was employed as a fireman on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Suffering from pancreatic cancer, she died at the age of 54 on March 13, 1941. She was interred in the Woodsdale Cemetery, possibly near Grafton. Charles married again, to Armentie Frame (1882- ? ). Their life together was short. Charles died of a cerebral hemorrhage, caused by hardening of the arteries and hypertension, at the age of 63, on March 9, 1945. He was buried at Woodsdale Cemetery. Reflecting her lack of knowledge about her husband's family, Armentie reported on his death certificate that his father was "William Knipple" and mother was "Etta Pyles."

Daughter Dessie (or "Bessie") Newhouse (1888- ? ) married Ross C. Earnest (or "Ernest") (1890- ? ), a native of Greene County, PA, on March 17, 1909. She was age 22, and he 19, at the time of marriage, which took place at Elkwater, WV. William's father or brother, William A. Ernest, supplied the data for the official Randolph County marriage certificate. The Earnests lived in 1939-1952 in Buckhannon, WV. Their fates are unknown.

Son Robert "Hayes" Newhouse Jr. (1889- ? ) was born in February 1889. He was married twice. His first wife, name unknown, died sometime before 1937. Circa 1939, he made his home in Slaty Fork, Pocahontas County, WV. At age 47, Hayes wed his second wife, Flora Mabel Pingley (1899- ? ), age 38, a native of Randolph County. They were married on April 1, 1937, at Elkins. At the time, they lived in Huttonsville, Randolph County. Hayes esided in Mill Creek circa 1952. Nothing further is known.

Timbering near Elkins

Daughter Roma Newhouse (1892- ? ) was born in April 1892. She wed Charles Howard Pingley (1887-1963), the son of Richard and Virginia (Rosencrance) Pingley, and a native of Huttonsville, Randolph County. They resided in Huttonsville circa 1939, when the funeral of Roma's father was held at their house. In the early 1950s they made their home in Mill Creek. Charles died of a brain illness at the age of 75, in Elkins, on Aug. 7, 1963. He was placed into eternal rest at the Brick Church Cemetery. Roma was the informant on his official certificate of death.

Daughter Gladys Nettie Newhouse (1893-1942) was born on Aug. 13, 1893 (or 1895). She married Grover Cleveland "Cleve" Tacy (1889- ? ), a native of Randolph County. The wedding took place on May 30, 1910, when Gladys was age 16 (or possibly 14) and Grover age 22, by the hand of G.E. Bartlett, pastor of the First Baptist Church. They resided in Elkins, Randolph County for many years. Suffering from heart disease, Gladys was felled by acute heart failure and died at age 48 on May 12, 1942, at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins. She was laid to rest in the Tacy Cemetery in rural Huttonsville, Randolph County. Cleve's whereabouts after that are not yet known.

Daughter Jessie Newhouse (1896- ? ) married Joseph S. Hartley (1862- ? ) -- more than twice her age -- on March 19, 1919. The ceremony was conducted in Belington, Barbour County, WV, by Rev. R.H. Skaggs, minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jessie was age 23 at the time, and residing in Barbour County, and Joseph was age 57, making his home in Jackson County, WV. Jessie was last known to be alive in Elkins in 1952.

Step-son Thomas H. Pyles (1869- ? ) may have married Bertie J. Evans, resided in Bramwell, Mercer County, WV, and made his living as a book salesman.

If so, he died at the age of 72, on Sept. 25, 1942, and is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery along Bluefield Bramwell Road.