Bio-Miner, ElizabethLindley

Elizabeth (Miner) Lindley
(1869-1913)

Elizabeth (Miner) Lindley was born on Dec. 14, 1869, likely in Greene County, PA, the daughter of Catherine (Miner) Bedillion. She and her husband were filled with repeated heartache over the years as they suffered the untimely deaths of many loved ones. A Civil War veteran, he was married three times and had a total of 17 children.

As a young girl, Lizzie was raised under her mother's maiden name, generally spelled "Minor." They resided with her grandparents, Henry and Polly (Younkin) Minerd, in rural Greene County. In 1889, Lizzie and her mother were living in Lagonda, Washington County, PA.

On the Fourth of July 1889, at age 19, Lizzie married Cyrus Lindley (1840-1908), the son of Daniel and Mary (Farabee) Lindley, and a native of Prosperity, Washington County. The marriage ceremony was held in Washington, Washington County, and was conducted by Rev. R.G. White.

Cyrus was a relative of Lizzie's uncle and aunt, Spencer and Nancy (Minor) Farabee. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

At the time of marriage, Cyrus was a twice-widowed, 47-year-old Civil War veteran. Because Lizzie was so young, her mother had to sign a formal consent. The document, now on file at the Washington County Courthouse, was witnessed by Enoch Mounts and George H. Reynolds.

Records in the archives of Washington and Jefferson College show that on Feb. 4, 1861, at Upper Ten Mile Church in Prosperity, Cyrus was among "persons [who] were examined as to their knowledge & experimental acquaintance with religion." A few weeks later, they "were baptized after making a public profession of their faith before the congregation..." The church still exists, and its sign is seen here today.

Cyrus's first wife was Lucinda J. McAllister ( ? -1863). Little is known about Lucinda, other than one of her aunts was Permelia D. Andrews (1833- ? ) of Washington. Cyrus and Lucinda are thought to have had two children, Oliver Lindley and an unnamed infant.

During the Civil War, Cyrus enlisted in the US Army on Aug. 9, 1962. He was assigned to Company D of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted on Aug. 9, 1862. In a cruel twist of fate, his wife Lucinda gave birth while he "was absent serving in the Army" but she and the baby died in childbirth. In his own words, Cyrus "did not get home even to attend the funeral." Lucinda's remains were laid to rest in the "cemetery at Prosperity," said her aunt Permelia Andrews.

With the 140th Pennsylvania, Cyrus and his fellow soldiers were bloodied in some of the fiercest action known during the war. During the Battle of Chancellorsville, on May 3, 1863, he "received a shell wound of the left hip [or back] while supporting battery" of cannon. A loud shell explosion also caused him some deafness. While in the Battle of Gettysburg just two months later, he was wounded again during the fighting at the Wheat Field and on Little Round Top. He received a bayonet wound in the right leg "while charging on enemy" during the final day's action on July 3, 1863.

Breastworks and Confederate dead at Gettysburg's Little Round top, where Cyrus received a bayonet wound on the third day of fighting

The 140th Pennsylvania today is memorialized at Gettysburg with two large monuments in and around Little Round Top. The more prominent of the two is seen at left. One of the plaques, dedicated in 1885, reads:

140th Regt. Penna. Vols. Col. R.P. Roberts Commanding. Zook's Brig., Caldwell's Div., Hancock's Corps. July 2nd, 1863. (Succeeded 5, Corps Troops). Carried into action 29 officers and 560 enlisted men. Lost in action, 14 officers and 227 enlisted men, as follows: Killed, 3 officers and 34 enlisted men. Died of wounds, 1 officer and 16 enlisted men. Wounded, 7 officers and 120 enlisted men. Capt'd and missing, 3 officers and 57 enlisted men. In memory of our comrades, 1885.

Cyrus' name also appears on the Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg, seen here, along with the names of all the other members of the 140th PA Infantry and other Pennsylvania regiments who served in action at the bloody battle. Lizzie's uncle, Samuel Birch, also is named on the monument, on the panel honoring the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

According to Cyrus' Civil War pension file, held at the National Archives in Washington, DC, he later was captured and held as a prisoner of war. The capture is said to have occurred at Peola Mills, MS, on July 1, 1864, though his regiment was not known to have ever been in Mississippi. He was confined to Confederate prisons at Richmond, VA and Andersonville, SC before being released at Charleston, SC, on Dec. 16, 1864. Five or six weeks before his discharge, he came down with the measles, his eyes became "sore," and he had trouble with his vision.

Doctor's sketches of Cyrus's battle wounds

He was honorably discharged on May 31, 1865 at Alexandria, VA. Cyrus returned to Washington County, PA, and built carriages for a living. His eyesight improved somewhat, though it began to decline again in about 1896, causing difficulty with the precise work needed of a wagon builder.

Circa 1865, he married his second wife, Nannie A. Reeves ( ? -1884). They had at least seven children, born between the years 1866 and 1880 -- James Hamilton Lindley, Mary "Emma" Huff, Nora May Ebberts, Sarah Lindley, Edward Lindley [later renamed John William Lindley], Charles Benson Lindley and Celesta Lindley.

Heartache and tragedy struck the family in waves in 1883-1884. In 1883, son Oliver died in Prosperity. The following year, wife Nannie passed away in Washington, PA on June 19, 1884, and infant daughter Celesta died in August of that year, age three months. Nannie's brother, B.F. Reeves (1853- ? ) of Deerlick, Greene County, wrote that he "visited her frequently during her last sickness. I saw in her casket and attended her funeral."

Five years later, in 1889, Cyrus married his third wife, our Lizzie Miner. They went on to have eight children of their own -- Isa Reynolds, Homer Randall Lindley, Hazel Anna Headley, Albert Leon Lindley, Wilda Pauline Lindley, Wilma Irene Lindley, Thelma Stella Lindley and William Earl Lindley.

Lizzie with one of her newborn babies, seen here, substantially touched up from a very badly faded original photo.

At some point in the 1890s, the Lindleys moved from their small farm near Prosperity into the city of Washington. Perhaps this was due to the increasing urban need for builders of carriages. There they remained for many years, although they apparently retained ownership of the farm.

As he aged, Cyrus began to feel the effects of his wartime illnesses. He applied for and began receiving a pension from the federal government as compensation. Circa 1900, he was receiving $6 per month through the pension agency in Pittsburgh. During an 1892 medical examination, required to maintain his pension, he stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighed 122 lbs., and had a pulse rate of 72. In 1898, a physician wrote: "[His] nutrition is good, muscular development fair, his palms show evidence of hard labor done in the past, at present quite soft." Cyrus's original pension file is held today at the National Archives in Washington, DC, with a copy in the Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor Archives.

By 1900, when the federal census was taken, the Lindleys had purchased a home at 338 Fayette Street in West Washington, just down the street from where Lizzie's uncle Andrew Jackson Miner and other relatives lived. That year, they provided housing for five boarders who were local laborers, including their son Charley. Another of the boarders was Lizzie's first cousin, William Allen Miner (seen at right), who was a packer in a glass house. The other boarders were tin mill laborers Thomas King and Lilburn Newland and carpenter David Sprowles.

The shadow of death continued to take its relentless toll on the family in the 1890s. On Jan. 10, 1891, son Homer died in Washington, PA, and twin daughters Wilma (March 13, 1897) and Wilda (Dec. 2, 1898) passed away, also in Washington. Then on Aug. 10, 1904, daughter Thelma died at age two, in Washington. We cannot imagine the enormous emotional burden that Cyrus and Lizzie felt over these deaths. Over the span of 40 years, Cyrus had lost two wives and eight children.

Cyrus at far right, back row, with fellow members of the first grand jury assembled in the new Washington County Courthouse, in 1900. Photograph by Hallam, halftone by Bragdon. Image originally published in the book, Bench and Bar of Washington County, Pennsylvania

Cyrus achieved immortality of sorts when, on Nov. 12, 1900, following construction of the new Washington County Courthouse, he was named to a grand jury. Said the 1902 book, Courts of Justice: Bench and Bar of Washington County, authored by Boyd Crumrine, the jury "appeared in session in court-room No. 1, to join in the first act of judicial business ever transacted in the new court-house." Cyrus was mentioned in the book, and also pictured in a group photograph of that initial grand jury. The book, seen at right, is preserved today in the family archives. [Note -- another cousin mentioned in the book is George Walters Henshaw, who married into the prominent McGiffin family of Washington.]

In 1904, Cyrus became ill and could not attend his annual medical checkup. He wrote that he "was confined to the house for seven weeks - am totally disabled and cannot go before any board for examination unless in a carriage to Washington Pa. which is only three miles to travel." He was pronounced as having a total inability to earn support by manual labor, and his pension payments increased to $12 per month.

Death finally took Cyrus at age 69 at their Amwell Township home, on Jan. 17, 1908. The Washington Reporter said he was "an old soldier" and that his "death was sudden, as he had been sick only about eight hours."

He was laid to rest in the Washington Cemetery, in the Civil War veterans' section near the large statue, seen here. His marker is in the foreground, directly below the flag. The funeral was overseen by Rev. Cole.

The administrator of Cyrus' estate held an auction to raise funds to pay debts. Held on Feb. 12, 1908, the sale included some 90 items that are typical of what a carriage builder and farmer would have owned at that time. These ranges from a buggy harness and feed cutters to hogs, a shotgun and bedsprings. A full list is in the Minerd-Miner-Minor Archives.

Among the purchasers was Lizzie's first cousin, Andrew J. Birch (seen at right) who bought a wagon and wagon wheels for $1.00. Lizzie's brother in law, Elmas Martin, purchased a square for 35 cents, and Howard Lindley (connection unknown) bought hammers, a clamp and plaster.

As a widow with young children, Lizzie rented a home at 32 East Cherry Avenue in Washington. She was a "faithful member" of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. When her late late husband's estate was administered, the total assets came to $76.75.

Later in 1908, Lizzie applied for her late husband's federal pension. Among others, testifying on her behalf were her uncle, Andrew Jackson Miner, of Washington, and Andrew's brother in law, Stephen W. Johnston, of nearby Canton Twp. They attested that they had "known her ever since she was a little girl and they know the fact that she had not been married previously." In a separate affidavit, Andrew and S.S. Lloyd of Amwell Township confirmed that the Lindleys owned a house and three acres of land in Amwell, valued at $625, and renting for $75 per year -- comprising all the property they owned of any kind. Andrew also witnessed an affidavit with testimony from one of Cyrus's former brothers in law, B.F. Reeves of Deerlick, Greene County. Also signing affidavits of support around that time were Nettie Kelsey (age 19), Parker Clark (age 45) and Emma Shanley (age 54).

Lizzie and Cyrus, presumably at their farm

Lizzie appears to have been talented as a seamstress and as a baker of pies. When the federal census was taken in 1910, she was listed as a "Dressmaker - Own Shop." She also is said to have "taught many generations of women to bake apple pie a certain way," a tradition which continues in this branch of the family.

Sadly, completing the cycle of tragedy in the family, Lizzie died just five years after her husband. Suddenly infected with peritonitis, she was rushed to Washington Hospital in early October 1913. After just 12 hours of treatment, she passed away just after midnight on Oct. 6, 1913, at the tender age of 44. The Washington Reporter said her death occurred "due to a complication of diseases. She had been ill but a few days, and was in the hospital only since Sunday morning."

Her funeral arrangements were handled by Charles W. Devore of Washington. Lizzie is buried at Washington Cemetery -- far apart from Cyrus. She rests for eternity in an unmarked grave (Block 5, Range I, Grave 22). Stepson Charles Lindley was the informant for her death certificate, but did not know the names of her parents. He also gave her birth year as "1871" rather than the correct "1869" -- a difference in two years.

Seen at right is a rare old photographic postcard showing the entrance to the cemetery.

Because her personal estate was insufficient to pay her debts, their tract of two acres, perhaps the farm in Amwell or Prosperity, was sold to Grant Moninger and raised $600 in proceeds.

The Lindleys are memorialized in the book Genealogy of the Farabees in America by Louis Thomas Farabee. The date of publication is unknown but was sometime after Sept. 9, 1917, the most recent date listed in the book. The volume provides a wealth of vital statistics about the various Lindley children.

Lizzie and Cyrus are mentioned in a lavishly illustrated, 2011 book about her uncle who also was a Civil War veteran -- entitled Well At This Time: the Civil War Diaries and Army Convalescence Saga of Farmboy Ephraim Miner. The book, authored by the founder of this website, is seen at left. [More]

Hazel Lindley (1892-1991) initially worked as a "Sales Lady - Dept. Store" in Washington. In 1910, when she was age 18, she married 21-year-old Edward L. Headley (1889- ? ), a native of Greene County, PA. They had one known daughter, Thelma Spear Sprague.

The 1910 census shows the Headleys residing at 299 Addison Street in Washington. They were listed at the same address circa 1916-1917 when named in the book, Genealogy of the Farabees in America.

Because her young brother William was just a boy when their mother died, Hazel was appointed as his guardian on May 5, 1914. The Washington County records contain detailed accounts of expenses she paid to support her brother's welfare between 1914 and 1918. These ranged from shoes and stockings to train fare and legal fees.

By 1917, Hazel and Edward had moved to Akron, Summit County, OH, residing at 196½ South High Street. By the following year, they lived at 231 State Street.

When Edward filled out his World War I military draft application, in about 1917, he listed his occupation as painter for the Miller Rubber Company. He noted on his registration card that he was married and had a child and a brother in law dependent on him for support.

Miller Rubber Company in Akron, Edward Headley's employer circa 1917, later acquired by B.F. Goodrich

Miller Rubber was one of the largest rubber factories in the nation at the time. Its sprawling facilities in Akron covered 1.25 million sq. ft. of space.

The federal census of 1920 shows Edward and Hazel and their daughter Thelma, brother William E. Lindley and cousin Ray F. Headley in the household. That year, Edward ran his own painting business.

When the 1930 census was taken, Edward was continuing his work as a painting contractor, and their married daughter and son in law, Thelma and Elmer Spear, and granddaughter Darlores Spear lived under their roof.

Hazel resided in the Akron area for the remaining years of her life. She passed away at the age of 98 in Akron on March 17, 1991. The Akron Beacon Journal said she had been "an Akron resident most of her life."

Daughter Thelma Headley (1911-1992) was born on May 22, 1911 in Washington. As a young girl she moved to Akron with her parents. There, she married Elmer Spear (1904- ? ), a building carpenter. They resided with Thelma's parents in Canton circa 1930. Later, Thelma married (?) Sprague. She had two sons -- Richard and Robert. Thelma passed away on Christmas Eve 1992, at the age of 81, in Akron. She was laid to rest at Rose Hill Burial Park in Akron. At the time of her death, said the Beacon Journal, she had 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her son Richard lived in Texas, and son Robert in Akron.

As an orphan boy of 10, son William E. Lindley (1903- ? ) moved into the home of his married sister, Hazel Headley, in Akron, Summit County, OH. A letter she wrote on his behalf in 1919, to the federal pension commissioner, is seen at right. He stopped receiving his father's pension payments upon turning age 16 on Dec. 26, 1919.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the 16-year-old William was continuing to make his home with the Headleys in Akron.

William married Elizabeth (?) (1913- ? ) in about 1925, when he was age 21, and she 18. The federal census of 1930 shows them residing in Akron, where William was employed as an inspector for an "N.O.P."

Daughter Isa Lindley (1888-1967) married Bertram Hoyt Reynolds (1889-1958), a native of Buffalo Township, Washington County. They were wed in 1913, when she was age 25, and he 24, and in the same year as her mother died. He was slender, and of medium build, and had grey eyes and brown hair.

They are seen at left in an old studio portrait. While Bertram's parents' names are not yet known, his mother's middle name has been identified as "Blood."

The Reynoldses went on to have four children -- Helen Corinne Walker, Merlin Bertram Reynolds, Beulah L. Windham and Mildred Irene Betts.

Circa 1914, they resided at 208 Brookside Avenue in Washington circa 1914, when Isa was age 25. By June 1917, they had moved to Charleroi, Washington County, making their home at 1005 Crest. That year, when Bertram filled out his World War I military draft registration, he reported that he was employed as a lineman for the West Penn Power Company in Charleroi.

In 1920, when the census was taken, they made their home on Knox Avenue in Monessen, Westmoreland County, PA, where Bertram was employed as a general electrician.

Unfortunately, not only did Isa suffer from respiratory ailments, but she is said to have contracted a case of the dreaded Spanish Flu epidemic that spread through our nation in 1919. Doctors advised Isa to move to a warm climate, and the family relocated to Southern California early in the 1920s.

The Reynoldses often spoke of an "Uncle Ward" with great affection and regret, and it's believed they were referring to Isa's cousin, Ward C. Miner, a talented photographer who died in his early 30s of incurable tuberculosis.

By 1930, the address of the family was on 35th Street in San Diego, San Diego County, CA. The census-taker recorded Bertram's employment as "electrical contractor." They spent the remaining several decades of their lives in San Diego.

Isa outlived him by nine years. She passed away at the age of 79 in San Diego on Jan. 19, 1967.

Daughter Beulah L. Reynolds (1910-1983) married (?) Windham. She died in San Diego on Feb. 23, 1983.

Son Merlin Bertram Reynolds (1914-1986) apparently spent his life in San Diego. He died there at the age of 72 on Feb. 4, 1986.

Daughter Mildred Irene Reynolds (1915-1993) married (?) Betts. She died in San Diego on New Year's Day 1993.

Daughter Helen C. Reynolds (1913- ? ) married Charles Henry Walker. Charles is seen at right, in his military uniform, and served as a Commander in the US Navy, a position from which he retired. Three of their children have been educators -- Charlotte Zoe Walker, Marian Stauffer and Stan Walker.

The Reynolds' grandson Stan has been an art teacher at the college and public school levels in Montpelier, VT.

The Reynolds' granddaughter Charlotte is a longtime English Professor at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, and has edited two books about the 19th century nature writer John Burroughs. Her volume, The Art of Seeing Things, is pictured here. In her dedication to the book, Charlotte wrote: "...to all our farming ancestors, brought to life again in the writing of Burroughs, and all those who carryon today the natural ways of farming that are so threatened in our time." Her extensive list of publications is online, showing among many others that her writings have been published in Ms. Magazine, Good Housekeeping, the Virginia Woolf Quarterly, the North American Review and Woman's World.

Daughter Nora May Lindley (1868- ? ) married (?) Ebberts. She lived in Pittsburgh in 1908 at 1523 Fifth Avenue. Her fate also is not known.

Son James Hamilton Lindley (1866- ? ) lived at 274 Alice Street in East Palestine, Columbiana County, OH circa 1917.

Daughter Sarah "Sade" Lindley (1870- ? ) resided at 1226 Jefferson Avenue in Washington in about 1917.

Son Edward Lindley (1873- ? ) later was renamed " John William Lindley." Circa 1917, when the book Genealogy of the Farabees in America was printed, his whereabouts were unknown.

Daughter Mary " Emma" Lindley (1875- ? ) married (?) Huff. Circa 1908, she resided in 1908 in New York and after 1917 was in Montreal, Canada. Her fate is unknown.

Son Charles Benson Lindley (1879- ? ) was born on Oct. 2, 1879. He married Catherine (?) (1885- ? ). He was tall, of medium build, and had brown eyes and brown hair. In 1917 they lived at 6 Grove Street in the Bellvue section of Washington, PA. When he filled out his World War I military draft registration card in 1917, Charles listed his occupation as laborer at the Washington Brewery. When the federal census of 1920 was taken, Charles and Catherine were recorded on Grove Street, in North Franklin Township in Washington. His occupation was listed as general teamster.

Little Round Top photos courtesy of the Library of Congress' American Memory Project