Minerd.com Photo of the Month: Cyrus Lindley and the First Grand Jury in the New Washington County (PA) Courthouse

Civil War veteran and wagon-maker Cyrus Lindley (standing, far right) achieved his 15 minutes of fame when, on Nov. 12, 1900, following construction of the new Washington County Courthouse in Pennsylvania, he was named to sit with its first-ever grand jury. A resident of Amwell, Washington County, he was recognized for this quirk of fate in the 1902 book, Courts of Justice: Bench and Bar of Washington County, authored by Boyd Crumrine. Wrote 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." A group photograph was made by (?) Hallam, and the halftone for the book by (?) Bragdon.

During the war, Cyrus served as a member of the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Gettysburg. Cyrus was married three times and produced a total of 17 children. His third and final wife was Elizabeth "Lizzie" Minor, daughter of Catherine (Minor) Bedillion of Greene County, PA.

Pittsburgh in 2016 celebrates its 200th anniversary as an incorporated city. This provides a window in time to acknowledge the Steel City's triumphs, from innovations that created permanent institutions to world class medical and educational facilities after overcoming severe economic challenges. More>>>

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