Elizabeth Zediker

Elizabeth Miller’s parentage is unknown. She was born c.1783, possibly in Pennsylvania. Her date of birth is estimated from the inscription on the grave stone. There is a christening record for 1783, for an Elizabeth Miller, who was the daughter of Phillip Miller, but I cannot prove that it is our Elizabeth. The christening took place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There was also one for the same year in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Henry and Magdalena Miller.

She began an affair with John Zediker, a married man, around 1800. There was a child born out of wedlock, which brought the affair in public knowledge. John was divorced by his wife Margaret Smith Zediker and was forced to pay her a generous settlement. After the settlement, John and Elizabeth moved to Ohio. Elizabeth and John had seven children – Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, John, David and Jacob. Other children are attributed to them, but are not proven, and are often biologically no possible.

Elizabeth died February 15, 1859 and was buried at Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. George is probably buried in the same cemetery, but his grave has not been located. One source has his death in Iowa, but no grave is found for him there, either.