Minerd.com Biography of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Miner) Lindley of Prosperity, Washington & Amwell Twp, PA

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 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 Speer, and granddaughter Darlores Speer lived under their roof.

Edward continued his work as a painter and interior decorator through the 1930s. Sadly, however, his eyesight began to fail, and he became blind. He thus was forced to retire in 1940 at the age of only 51.

At the age of 80, Edward succumbed to death on March 15, 1968 as a patient in Akron's City Hospital. An obituary in the Akron Beacon Journal noted that his had been "a long illness." He was survived by three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Interment of the remains was in Rose Hill Cemetery.

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 Beacon Journal said she had been "an Akron resident most of her life."

Daughter Thelma May Headley (1911-1992) was born on May 22, 1911 in Washington, Washington County, PA. As a young girl she migrated to Akron, Summit County, OH with her parents. Her address in 1928 was 214 West Senter Street, and she earned a living as a beauty operator. At the age of 17, on July 30, 1928, she was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with 26-year-old building carpenter Elmer L. Speer (1904- ? ). The nuptials were held in Summit County, officiated by Rev. F.W. Kirkpatrick. Because Thelma was underage, both of her parents had to swear in open court their approval to the marriage. Elmer was a native of Green County, TN and the son of W.K. and Angie (Collins) Speer. One daughter was born to this union, Dolores Jeanne Whitney. The newlyweds resided with Thelma's parents in Canton, Stark County, OH circa 1930. The couple divorced, with Elmer marrying again and relocating to California. Thelma went on to marry again to Richard A. Sprague ( ? - ? ). The couple together produced two sons of their own -- Richard Bert Sprague and Robert Sprague. The family's address in 1955 is believed to have been 317 Poplar Street. The Spragues' marriage fell apart, and Thelma filed for divorce in September 1958. In 1968, she resided in West Richfield. 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.

Great-grandson David Whitney resided in Richfield, OH in 1987 and in Bath, OH in 1990.

Great-granddaughter Linda Whitney was joined in wedlock with (?) Clark. Circa 1987, they dwelled in Norton, OH.

Great-granddaughter Pamela Whitney ( / - ? ) was born in (?). In young womanhood she was employed by the Akron Credit Bureau. On Sept. 3, 1983, she was united in matrimony with John Puchalsky ( ? - ? ). The wedding was held at Falls Baptist Temple in Munroe Falls, OH. At the time, John earned a living with Ryder/Pacific Intermountain Express, having attended the University of Akron. News of the marriage was announced on the pages of the Akron Beacon Journal. Their home in 1987 was in Barberton, OH.

Great-granddaughter Janene Sprague married Dewayne Boles. Their home has been in Pasadena, TX.

Great-granddaughter Judith Sprague wedded Jim Swarts. They established a residence in Houston.

Great-granddaughter Jennifer Sprague entered into wedlock with Byron Peden. The couple has dwelled in La Porte, TX.

Son William Earl Lindley (1903- ? ) was born on Dec. 27, 1903 in Washington, Washington County, PA. He was only a boy when both of his parents died.

At the age of 10, the orphaned William moved into the home of his married sister, Hazel Headley, in Akron, Summit County, OH. She was an advocate for him in obtaining financial assistance from the county, and also obtaining his late father's Civil War pension payments.

A letter Hazel wrote on his behalf in 1919, to the federal pension commissioner, is seen here. William stopped receiving his father's pension payments upon turning age 16 on Dec. 26, 1919. He remained in Akron for the remainder of his life.

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

On July 1, 1929, at the age of 26, he was joined in marital union with 23-year-old Geraldine Mary Kathryn Black (Oct. 1906- ? ), a native of Volant near New Castle, Lawrence County, PA and the daughter of Harry and Margaret (McCracken) Black. At the time, Geraldine was a sales lady living at 487 Ohio Street in Akron. Rev. W.W. Dieterich officiated the nuptials.

For three decades, William earned a living as a taxi driver for Yellow Cab Company. He made news in a harrowing experience in September 1937 when two prisoners at Summit County Jail broke out and kidnapped him at gunpoint, using what later was revealed as fake weapons. The bandits ordered him to drive them to the state capitol in Columbus. Six hours later, at the outskirts of Columbus, said the Beacon Journal, the men stole $5 and "stripped him of all but his underwear and kicked him out, ... then speeded south through Columbus."

William again was in the news in January 1940 when he rescued a golden-eyed duck, with its wings laden with ice in the foggy morning, landed on Main Street and could not move.

He held memberships in the Coventry lodge of the Masons, the Yusel-Khan Grotto and the Stark Consistory of the Shrine. The family address in the late 1950s was at 695 East Exchange Street, Akron.

Geraldine earned income as a food products demonstrator in the Akron area circa 1940.

Sadly, at the age of 55, William was stricken with a heart attack and died suddenly on Feb. 13, 1959. Dr. James M. Lichliter -- of St. Paul's Episcopal Church -- officiated the funeral service, with the remains interred in Rose Hill Burial Park. An obituary was printed in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Geraldine outlived her husband by 36 years and married again to Donald Baker ( ? - ? ). She belonged to the Firestone post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and St. Bernard Church. She was widowed a second time and spent her final years in Grove City, PA. She died in nearby Mercer, PA at the age of 88 on July 10, 1995. An obituary in the Beacon Journal did not mention their son but noted that she had been "a resident of Akron for 65 years." Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, with Fr. Paul Schindler leading the funeral proceedings.

Son Kenneth William Lindley (1933- ? ) was born in about 1933 in Akron. Artistically talented, he sang in the choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He also learned to tap-dance and, in January 1951, won first place in the Terrace Room Talent Preview held at Akron's Mayflower Hotel. He was featured several times on the Gene Carroll television show broadcast on WEWS-TV. Kenneth joined the U.S. Marine Corps in the mid-1950s and was assigned to the 3rd Engineers Division. His tour of duty took him to Japan, the Philippines and Okinawa. He is known to have been stationed in California in 1958-1959. At the age of about 25, on July 18, 1958, he was united in wedlock with 19-year-old Faith A. Leshner (Oct. 6, 1938-1989), daughter of Edmund Leshner. The wedding was held in All Saints Episcopal Church of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, with the news printed in the Akron Beacon Journal. Evidence suggests that Faith may married a second time to (?) Tackett and passed away in Los Angeles on April 13, 1989. Her remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. One her memorial plaque, her name was inscribed as "Lindley," along with the phrase "Beloved mother and grandmother." Nothing more about Kenneth is known.

She 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 here 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. (Many cousins in the extended family worked for West Penn over many decades of time.)

In 1920, when the census was taken, they made their home on Knox Avenue in Monessen, Westmoreland County, PA, where Bertram labored 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."

The census of 1940 shows Isa and Bertram residing at 3727 Utah Street in San Diego, with their married daughter and son in law Helen and Charles Walker living under their roof. Bertram maintained his work that year owning his own electrical business. His son Merlin worked for the family firm as an electrician.

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) was born on Oct. 21, 1910 in Pennsylvania. She married Milton Windham (May 5, 1912-1990), a native of Oklahoma. Among the pair's known offspring were Rev. Albert Windham and Margaret Bennett. Federal census enumeration records for 1940 show the family in San Diego, with Milton earning a living as a motorman for a transportation company. Beulah died in San Diego on Feb. 23, 1983. Interment of her remains was in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego. Martin outlived his bride by nearly seven years. He succumbed to death in San Diego on Jan. 22, 1990.

Son Merlin Bertram Reynolds (1914-1986) was born on Sept. 22, 1914 in Washington, Washington County, PA. He relocated with his parents and family to Southern California and apparently spent the rest of his life in San Diego. He stood 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighted 160 lbs. and had hazel eyes and light brown hair. Merlin was united in holy matrimony with Florette June Vigneault (Nov. 30, 1918-2006), a native of Manchester, NH. They produced two known daughters, Barbara June Seery and Merleen O'Keefe. United States Census records for 1940 show the young family in San Diego, with Merlin employed as an electrician by an electrical service company, his father's contracting firm. Their address at that time was 4477 Utah Street. He died in San Diego at the age of 72 on Feb. 4, 1986. His remains were placed ito eternal sleep in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego. Florette lived for another two decades and married again to Leo E. Lusitana (Oct. 4, 1906-1997). He was a World War II veteran who had worked for 22 years for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. She became a widow again when Leo passed away at the age of 90 on June 5, 1997. After that time, she appears to have moved in with or near her daughter Merleen O'Keefe in El Cajon, CA. Death swept her away in San Diego two days after Christmas 2006. Her funeral mass was held in the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Alpine, CA, and her remains were entombed in the Greenwood Bible Mausoleum. An obituary in the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that she was survived by 10 grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren.

Daughter Mildred Irene Reynolds (1915-1993) was born on Dec. 1, 1915 in Washington, Washington County, PA. She moved to Southern California with her family. Sometime in or before 1935, she was united in matrimony with Charles F. Betts Jr. (1915- ? ), a native of Florida. Circa 1935-1940, the pair dwelled in San Diego. The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows Charles earning a living as a guard at a museum project. Mildred died in San Diego on New Year's Day 1993.

Daughter Helen Corinne "Jackie" (Reynolds) Walker (1912-2004) was born on Aug. 4, 1912 in Washington, Washington County, PA. When she was 21 years of age, in Nov. 2003, she entered into holy matrimony with Charles Henry Walker (Jan. 22, 1909-2004), a native of North Carolina. Their marriage endured for an extraordinary 70 years. Together, the couple produced a family of three children, all of whom have been educators -- Charlotte Zoe Walker, Marian Louise Stauffer and Stan Walker.

Circa 1935, the family lived in New Orleans, LA, where their eldest daughter was born. By 1939, they had relocated to San Diego, San Diego County, CA, where Charles had enlisted in the United States Navy. Charles spent 29 years of active duty with the Navy and eventually was promoted to naval commander, a position from which he retired. The federal census of 1940 shows Helen, Charles and their two children living with her parents on Utah Street in San Diego. That year, his employment was marked by the census-taker as "Radio-Man" with the Navy.

Charles was posted to Honolulu as World War II loomed. He is known to have been aboard the USS Arctic in Maui on Dec. 6-Dec. 7, 1941, in preparation for a voyage to San Francisco. The Arctic, a fully armed refrigerator cargo vessel, was in Maui to be de-magnetized to prevent the hull from attracting underwater mines. As the ship’s radioman, Charles received an urgent message about the surprise Japanese attack on battleship row. General quarters was sounded, with all available men ordered to battle stations and all guns immediately loaded. Unidentified aircraft could be seen in the distance. In his memoir Roots and Consequences: An Autobiography, Charles writes about the decisions facing the ship’s captain – whether to head out to sea and risk detection – or remain in port – while the Arctic maintained radio silence. The captain’s final decision was to say put, with guns ready, in the event further action was needed. Later that day, Charles intercepted a coded message instructing the ship to proceed to the mainland as originally planned.

Then during the Korean War, Charles served as a communication officer for Task Force 77. He also helped to develop the first guided missile school in Quantico, VA and later held the role of commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Training Center in Colorado Springs. After his retirement he attended Colorado College, paid for by the G.I. Bill, and obtained a degree in history. He went on to teach history in the Denver Public Schools. In his spare time, he liked to read about world affairs and American and Naval history.

Reported the Florida Times-Union, Helen " was a loving, gentle person of natural grace and wisdom. She spent many years as a Navy wife.... Like many service wives, she kept up the homefront through hard times, grew a Victory Garden, and didn't know for many weeks whether or not her husband had survived Pearl Harbor."

The couple is lovingly named and described in the dedication of the book The Art of Seeing Things, authored by their daughter Charlotte. The pair celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Nov. 25, with a gathering of family and friends in Jacksonville, FL. Sadly, bringing their seven-decade union to a close, Charles passed into eternity in Jacksonville on Jan. 18, 2004. Just six weeks later, Helen followed him into death at the age of 91 on Feb. 24, 2004. As had been done for Charles, Helen's funeral services were conducted in the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. Vincent K. Kolb. Following their death, Charlotte retyped her father's lengthy manuscript autobiography, which he had penned after seeing the popular television mini-series Roots. Charlotte had it published under the title Roots and Consequences (Leaf & Tendril Books, June 30, 2017). The book includes, among other things, the absorbing story of Charles' difficult childhood in rural North Carolina, as well as his many years of service in the Navy, rich with human interest and historical detail.

Grandson Stanley Walker (1939- ? ) was born in 1939 on Mare Island near San Diego. In his youth, he traveled around the country as his Navy father was transferred. In 1956, he graduated from Colorado Springs High School. He then earned a bachelor of arts degree in art education in 1960 from the University of Northern Colorado. His first art teaching position was a U.S. government assignment in Guam, from 1960 to 1962. He also traveled in Japan, Russia via the Trans-Siberian Railway and in Europe. After returning to the United States, he accepted an art teaching position in New Hampshire. There, in 1963, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Susan Appleton ( ? -living), a resident of Gorham, NH. They became the parents of Libby Davidson, Adam Walker and Eli Walker. Stanley then pursued his master's of education degree from Indiana University. In 1966, the family settled in Montpelier, VT, with him employed teaching studio art for a decade at Vermont College. He himself oil-painted in abstract expressionistic styles. His final work, until retirement in 2004, was art education in the Waterbury (VT) School System. Said an obituary:

Stan was known by many for his easy laugh, comforting smile, and witty conversation. His discerning eye for visual design was apparent, whether he was appreciating an art exhibit or enjoying the outdoors. An avid fisherman from a young age, he developed a keen interest in fly-tying and the craft of the sport in freshwater and saltwater settings. His sports enthusiasm inspired his family, through his passion for tennis, nordic skiing, running, canoeing, and golf. He was comfortable talking with most anyone, whether about Red Sox baseball highlights, travel, literature, or his love of music, stemming from his early performances as a member of the 1960s folk trio “The Jolly Rogues” on Guam.

Sadly, with his health failing, Stanley was treated at the Central Vermont Medical Center, University of Vermont Medical Center and finally the McClure Miller Respite House. He passed away on March 26, 2022. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to either the Kellogg Hubbard Library or the Nature Conservancy in Vermont.

Great-granddaughter Libby Walker married (?) Davidson. She is the mother of Charles Davidson and Mason Davidson. Circa 2022, she dwelled in Colchester, VT.

Great-grandson Adam Walker wed Rachel Jolly. They have resided in Burlington, VT.

Great-grandson Eli Walker made his home in 2022 in Intervale, NH.

The couple resided at 274 Alice Street in East Palestine, Columbiana County, OH circa 1917.

By the late 1920s, he had relocated to a farm in or near Slippery Rock, Butler County, PA.

On Sept. 24, 1929, at the age of 63, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died the same day. An obituary was printed in the Butler Eagle and Butler County Record. His remains were sent back to Washington County for burial in the Lone Pine Cemetery. His grave is not believed to be marked.

Evidence hints that she may have died in 1917, but this is not proven. Her fate also is not known.

Daughter Sarah L. "Sade" Lindley (1868-1963) was born on Dec. 21, 1868 (or 1870) in Clarktown, PA.

Circa 1910, federal census enumeration records show the family in Washington. At that time, John earned a living as a foreman in a tube mill, likely Tyler Tube Company. Daughter Anna earned a living as a sales lady in a music store.

The DeUngers resided at 1226 Jefferson Avenue in Washington in about 1917 and at 1198 West Wylie Avenue in 1963.

Suffering from hypertension which led to a heart attack, Sarah died at the age of 94 in the Ankrom Nursing Home on July 2, 1963. Interment was in Washington Cemetery.

Son Edward Lindley (1873- ? ) -- later renamed " John William Lindley" -- was born in 1873.

Circa 1917, when the book Genealogy of the Farabees in America was printed, his whereabouts were unknown.

Son Charles Benson Lindley (1879-1949) was born on Oct. 2 or 9, 1879 at Jollytown, Greene County.

On April 30, 1904, when he was age 25, he married 19-year-old Catherine M. Dornberger (1885- ? ), daughter of John Dornberger. Justice of the peace James A. Magill officiated.

Charles was tall, of medium build, and had brown eyes and brown hair. At the time of marriage, he resided in Washington and earned a living as a steel worker.

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.

In 1948, the Lindleys lived on Jennings Lane in Washington, where he earned a living as a gardener.

Charles became stricken with cancer of the jaw in 1945 and suffered for four years. He succumbed from the illness at the age of 69 on March 22, 1949. His remains were lowered into repose in Washington Cemetery. On his death certificate, his father's first name was spelled as "Siras."