JOHN S. LYLE, from Rockbridge Co., Virginia, came to Richmond in 1823, with his father, David Lyle, who was a brick and stone mason, and who subsequently removed to Randolph Co., where he died in 1848. John, his eldest son, resides in Richmond. In 1837, he commenced an apprenticeship in the printing business with Holloway and Davis, and worked at this trade twelve years. In 1855, he was elected justice of the peace for the term of four years, and re-elected for a second term. Before the expiration of his second term, the war broke out, and he assisted in raising Co. B. of the 5th Indiana cavalry, of which he was chosen captain. In November, 1862, he was promoted to senior major of the regiment. He served in the army to the close of the war. He was with his battalion in Kentucky, within twenty miles of the rebel Gen. Morgan when he crossed the Cumberland river on his famed raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, and followed him up with his regiment until he was taken at Buffington Bar, Ohio, where Morgan's forces were routed. Major Lyle was engaged in the two battles of Blountsville, and the battles of Knoxville, Henderson's Mills, Walker's Ford, Pulaski, and the great battle of Nashville. He is at present city attorney in Richmond.
Source: "History of Wayne County", pg. 423
Evening Item, Richmond, IN, Tuesday, October 12, 1897, pg. 8, col 3
Fifty-three years ago today, John S. Lyle, justice of the peace and one of Richmond's oldest, best known and most highly respected citizens, was married. The bride of more than a half century ago was Miss Caroline Finley, the youngest daughter of Andrew Finley a pioneer settler of the city, and a sister of John Finley, one of the early mayors of Richmond.
The ceremony that made John S. Lyle and Caroline Finley man and wife was performed by the Rev. Frederick Whalen, a Presbyterian minister and the event took place at the home of the Finleys on South Sixth street near St. Andrew's Catholic church.
There were firty or more guests at that wedding, but besides Major Lyle and his wife, only three other persons present now survive. They are Mrs. Wrigley and Julia Finley of this city, and Mrs. Mary Kibberd, of Louisville, Ky.
Major Lyle is in his 77th year, and is in fairly good health, being able to get to his office at the court house most of the days in the year. His wife is less than two years his junior, but is in feeble health.
Today's anniversary was not celebrated, but the 'squire and his wife were recipients of many congratulations from a host of friends.
Major Lyle is his younger days was a printer. He learned the trade in the old Palladium office in 1837, the office then standing at the corner of Fourth and Main, where the old court house stood. He was engaged in several other printing offices during those early days, and at one time published a paper at Fountain City.
In 1855 he was elected a justice of the peace and has served continually since, with the exception of the three or four years put in as a solder in the rebellion.
Evening Item, Richmond, IN, Wednesday, January 25, 1899, pg. 5, col 1
'Squire John S. Lyle, died this morning at 11:08 o'clock at his home No. 105 North Fifth street, after an illness of six weeks. His passing away was not unlooked for as his condition had been deemed critical for two or three weeks, but he seemed to cling to life with a wonderful tenacity.
For a year or so past 'Squire Lyle was a constant sufferer from asthma and was consequently in a rather enfeebled condition most of the time. Despite this condition, however, he remained close to his office in the court house, attending to his duties and seemed despondent when upon certain occasions he was not able to be on hand. Six weeks ago he was taken down seriously ill. His constitution seemed to be undermined and there were but few indications that he would ever recover. Tuesday he was much worse and this morning found him breathing very weakly. At the time above stated he passed away peacefully. He leaves a wife, one son and one brother. Harry, the son is a resident of Minneapolis and had been here at the bedside of his father until a day or so ago when he was compelled to leave. He was summoned again today.
John S. Lyle was not a native of Wayne county or of Indiana as many people might be disposed to believe because of his long residence here. The state of his nativity is Virginia. He was born in June 1821, and would have been seventy-eight years of age at the next anniversary of his birth. He was a mixture of Scotch and Irish, his father being of Scotch descent and his mother having been born in Ireland. David Lyle, the father, with his little family, came to Indiana in 1823, settling in Richmond, then a small village of less than 200 people. Mrs. Lyle died in 1835 and the father married again, this time, Ann Cox, daughter of Jeremiah Cox, one of the first settlers in this portion of the state and one of the founders of Richmond. The Lyles then moved to Randolph county, the father dying in 1851. The subject of this sketch was reared in Richmond, his education being derived at the public schools. He was popular as a young man and in 1854 was for the first time elected justice of the peace, and four years later was re-elected. At the breaking out of the civil war, he organized company B of the Fifth Indiana cavalry and was chosen captain. He served with distinction in the early days of the rebellion and was promoted to major of his regiment. It is said that Major Lyle captured more rebels who were with General Morgan, then any other Union soldier.
In his boyhood Mr. Lyle took a fancy to the printers' trade and he turned his attention to it, serving an apprenticeship in the office of the Richmond Palladium. His journalistic career is interesting. Having learned the trade of a printer and being termed one of the best tradesman in the town. Mr. Lyle decided to start a paper of his own and in 1841, after finishing his schooling, he went to Fountain City, then Newport, and with Arnold Buffon launched an abolition paper. A year later he retired from this venture and went to Liberty, Union county, where he started a Universalist magazine for Jonathan Kidwell. Later he went to Cincinnati and worked as a compositor on the Cincinnati Chronicle. He returned to Richmond in the latter days of 1844, and was later chosen justice of the peace as stated above. At the close of the war Mr. Lyle returned to Richmond and in 1871 was made city attorney. Previous to this he had been the deputy prosecuting attorney of the county and had also been chief of police of the city, being the first to hold that position. In 1875 he was again elected justice of the peace, and had served continuously up to the time of his illness which resulted in his death. He was married in 1844 to Caroline Finley, the daughter of Richmond's first mayor.
Major Lyle was an excellent judge of humanity. He was noted as an honest justice and his decisions were always sound. He was a true friend to all and probably had as few enemies as any man who ever held public office in the county.
During his long career as a justice, he married many couples and he looked back over his record in this line with considerable pride. Forty years ago a justice of the peace married as many people if not more than ministers, and 'Squire Lyle's services were in constant demand. He drove all over the county performing marriage ceremonies and tied as many as ten nuptial knots in one week.
William B. LYLE, a native of Wayne Co IN was b. March 5, 1835. His father, David Lyle, was b. in Va, but early moved westward, first to Oh then in 1828 to Richmond IN. He was a brickmason by trade but in later years followed farming. He was very active in the whig party and occupied the office of magistrate for many years. He was a man of much influence among his friends, being impartial to all, never becoming ultra on questions in which men are liable to err. He had been in the war of 1812 and had experienced Indian hostilities. He d. in 1850, at the age of 60. Wm B's mother, Margaret (SCOTT) Lyle, was b. in No. Ireland, and d. in 1835 when Wm. was a babe. Both she and her husb. were members of the Presbyt. ch. William B. was raised on the farm, attended the common school of Richmond, and in 1852 began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed sev. years and then entered an iron foundry, following the same scale, but since the business increasing, much needed machinery has been added. Nearly all the patterns and plasters have been made by hand, employing 8 workmen. They manufacture the celebrated extension shaft drag saw, iron fences, etc. The firm is now Lyle & Smith. Mr. L. was marr. June 9, 1858 to Eliz. J. McCORKLE, d/o Hugh McCorkle of Troy, Ohio. M/M Lyle are members of the Presbyt. ch. He is a stalwart republican, a member of the fraternities of K of P, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the latter lodge he is master workman. Mr. L. is genial and pleasant toward all, and favors all movements that tend to improve the city or county. His business is an important item among the industries of the city, and should be patronized by home and surrounding territory.
Source: HW Beckwith History of Montgomery Co IN (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 305
Crawfordsville Daily Journal, May 27, 1907
William B. Lyle breathed his last shortly before noon to-day at his home on south Water street after an illness which has lasted since last October. His death was due to a complication of diseases.
Mr. Lyle was one of the really good men of this city who practiced to the letter what he preached. With him the church and doing good was first and business second. He was identified for many years with the First Presbyterian church and it may be said with truth that he was one of its pillars. He was active in Y.M.C.A. work for many years and his charities were manifold. If a church member was sick Mr. Lyle was sure to be there minister to his brother's comfort. He was one of the leading and best citizens of this city!
Mr. Lyle, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, was born March 5, 1835, his parents being David and Margaret (Scott) Lyle. The mother died when this son was an infant. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attended the public schools of Richmond. He entered upon his career as an Iron founder in 1855, in Richmond, which he continued until 1860, at which time he came to Crawfordsville, where he and M. V. B. Smith started a foundry and machine shops. Mr. Lyle had been connected with the foundry ever since, having been quite active in all affairs pertaining to the business until a few months ago, when failing health compelled him to give up his active work. Mr. Lyle was married June 9, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth J. McCorkle of Troy, Ohio. No children came to bless this union, but they raised a niece, Mrs. Callie McCorkle Ringland, now the wife of Rev. W. F. Ringland of Wooster, Ohio, and Miss Rose Lyle lives with her adopted parents. Mr. Lyle united with the Presbyterian church when a mere boy at Richmond, Ind., and when he located here he at once joined the First Presbyterian church of this city, and has taken an active part in all church affairs until failing health forced him to remain away from church services. In politics Mr. Lyle was a staunch Republican, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and always took an active part in all matters for the good of the community.
The funeral will occur from the First Presbyterian church on Wednesdy afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and will be conducted by Dr. D. B. Duncan, pastor of the church, assisted by the church choir. The officers of the church will act as pall bearers. The body will be laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.
Crawfordsville Daily Journal, February 12, 1914
Mrs. Elizabeth McCorkle Lyle, a resident of this city for more than thirty years, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meister, 510 east Jefferson street, at five minutes after midnight this morning following an illness of three months' duration. Mrs. Lyle was past seventy-nine years of age and when early in December of last year she became afflicted with grip, complications incident to the infirmities of her age arose and her weakened condition was unable to withstand the illness. For the past few days she had become gradually weaker and little hope has been held for her recovery for some time.
Mrs. Lyle was the widow of the late William B. Lyle, who was for years part owner of the Lyle & Reynolds foundry here. Her husband died seven years ago. Since that time Mrs. Lyle has remained in this city where she has a host of friends but no relatives. In August of last year the aged woman took up her residence at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Meister and since that time she has lived at that home.
The deceased was born in Ohio Nov. 4, 1834, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McCorkle. With her husband she came to this city nearly two score years ago. Uniting with the First Presbyterian church soon after coming to Crawfordsville, Mrs. Lyle had remained a faithful attendant and worker in the church until her fatal illness. She was always present at the services and the weather was never too stormy to prevent her attendance at Sunday school and the service following till she became ill three months ago.
Funeral services will be held from the church of which she was a prominent member at two Friday afternoon. Rev. Walter Johnston, paster of Center Presbyterian church, will conduct the services and burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Lyle is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Anderson of Indianapolis and Mrs. Hunter of Piqua, Ohio. The sisters arrived today in response to messages of Mrs. Lyle's death. The aged woman is survived by no children.
Ardent sport fans often sit around and reflect on the sport luminaries of yesterday and of yesteryear, and a few may wonder what some of those many sport veterans who paraded across yesteryear's sport pages are doing today. The wondering is as far as the reflection goes, however, because the oldsters are again crowded off the scene by the flame and new aspirations and ambitions of the day's youth. The former sport stars do not just drop into the caverns of oblivion, however, but usually they assume their rightful places in the rank and file of society and business and because of their unusual earlier life, usually contribute more fully to the expansion and progress of civic and community life. A typical example of this sort of figure is DeWitt W. Lyle, crusading son of Ireland.
Mr. Lyle was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1891, of staunch Scotch-Irish parentage. His father was John Henry Lyle, born in Richmond, Indiana, in 1861; and the mother was Mary C. Wagner before her marriage, born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1864. Mr. Lyle was the operator of a wholesale flour company before the family's trek to California in 1926. DeWitt was one of six children and was educated in the public schools of Minnesota.
Mr. Lyle's ancestry goes luminously back still further than his parents, however. Mr. Lyle's grandfather on his mother's side was Col. John Peter Wagner, colonial pioneer who first made his home in Scohanie and who in 1750 built the old Fort Wayne, still standing. Matthew Lyle, great great grandfather of DeWitt Lyle, came from Ireland in 1741, settling in the Rock Bridge County, Virginia. DeWitt Lyle's grandfather was Major John Scott Lyle, a major in the Civil War.
After finishing school in 1910, he started playing professional baseball, a sport he had been considerably adept at in school. His first chance was with the Hopkins, Minnesota, club playing in the "bush leagues". In 1910, he caught on with the Minneapolis nine and from there cut a swath through several minor leagues as a pitcher with his spit ball, a method of pitching which hindered his chances in reaching the big leagues. After 1913, he began devoting the falls of the year to professional football, playing with the Minneapolis Marines until 1918. From 1920 to 1921 he played with the Rock Island Rocks and from 1922 to 1923 with the major league football entry of the Green Bay Packers. In 1923 he quit both baseball and football and with his brother came to Paso Robles, California, and opened a restaurant. In 1912, Mr. Lyle had filed a claim in Montana, working the ranch until 1919, and it was there, while "batching" on the range, that he learned to cook. Consequently he took over the cooking duties of the restaurant while the brother handled the "front". This system was used until the restaurant began bearing the fruits of success and an orthodox cook was employed. With modest beginning he and his brother have operated three restaurants and have sold and enlarged until now they operate only one large restaurant in Paso Robles.
Another important event in the year of 1911 in the life of DeWitt W. Lyle took place on June 30, at Crosby, North Dakota, when Mr. Lyle married Grace A. Nagler. Miss Nagler was a native of Winona, Minnesota, born there April 20, 1891. Socially active, she is a past matron of the Eastern Star, past district president of the P.T.A., past president of Saint James Guild, past member of the Democratic committee, and takes a prominent part in all social and civic events. Two children born to the union are Lois Margarie Lyle, born January 30, 1919, Fargo, N.D., now a pre-law student at U.C.L.A.; and Beverly Joy Lyle, born August 25, 1925 in Paso Robles.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, State of California, Its People and Its Resources, Senator Chris N. Jesperson, Editor in Chief, Harold McLean Meier, Publisher; 1939
Memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in St. James Episcopal Church for DeWitt (Dewey) Wagner Lyle, 89, who passed away Thursday. Rev. Carl Hansen will officiate.
The Lyle family came to Paso Robles in 1923 where Dewey Lyle was scouting the Pittsburgh Pirates who were in summer training.
DeWitt Lyle and his wife, Grace, who preceded him in death in 1972, liked the town. They bought the restaurant, "Squeeze Inn," on Spring Street with a brother, Henry. Later, the establishment became known as Lyle's and for many years was the bus stop and half way house at 1215 Spring Street when the sizeable Standard Oil Station was located on the northwest corner of 12th and Spring.
The Lyle families became prime movers in the planting and cultivating of almonds and in collegiate and professional sports.
DeWitt Lyle was born March 23, 1891 in Minneapolis.
He attended Minneapolis schools and St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn.
DeWitt Lyle played professional football for 13 years with the Minneapolis Marines, Rock Island Independents, and with Green Bay where he was named guard on the first All-Star team in 1921. He last played football on the Staley Team which became the Chicago Bears.
DeWitt Lyle played 15 years of professional baseball under the name of Carlyle in the old American League.
While residing in Paso Robles, DeWitt Lyle coached football at Occidental College under Sid Nichols who also came to Paso Robles where he was proprietor of the Chevrolet agency at 13th and Spring.
DeWitt Lyle retired from the restaurant business in 1965 but continued to work in the almond orchards until 1972.
Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Tornquist, of Paso Robles; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials in the name of DeWitt Lyle have been established with St. James Episcopal Church and with the El Paso de Robles Pioneer Musicians.
Inurnment will be at the Paso Robles District Cemetery with Chapel of the Roses in charge.
Paso Robles Daily Press, Nov. 18, 1980
DeWitt Wagner Lyle, a professional football player who was on the first All Star team in 1921, died Thursday in a Paso Robles nursing home. He was 89.
A native of Minneapolis, Minn., he was born March 23, 1891 and for 13 years played with the Minneapolis Marines, the Rock Island Independents and for Green Bay.
He was last on the Staley team which later became the Chicago Bears.
For 15 years he played professional baseball in the old American League under the assumed name of Carlyle.
In 1923 he moved to Paso Robles where he became a restaurant owner with his brother, Henry, and also an almond rancher.
He coached football at Occidental College with Sid Nichols and was instrumental in Nichols' later moving to Paso Robles to manage the Chevrolet agency.
Mr. Lyle retired from the restaurant business in 1965 but continued to work in the orchards until 1972.
He is a past member of the Paso Robles Moose Lodge.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today, in St. James Episcopal Church with inurnment in Paso Robles District Cemetary. The Rev. Carl R. Hansen will conduct the rites.
Mr. Lyle's survivors are his daughter, Beverly Tornquist of Paso Robles; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory can be made to St. James Episcopal Church or to El Paso de Robles Pioneer Musicians, P.0. Box 461, Paso Robles.
Chapel of the Roses in Atascadero handled arrangements.
San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, November 29, 1980, Pg. A10, col 1
Memorial services for Grace Alberta Lyle will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. James Episcopal Church in Paso Robles with the Rev. Richard Beaumont officiating. Private inurnment will follow at the Paso Robles District Cemetery.
Mrs. Lyle, 81, died Tuesday in a Paso Robles hospital. She was born April 20, 1891, in Winona, Minn. She received her teacher's credential from the University of Minnesota, and worked as a teacher in Minnesota. Mrs. Lyle, known by many as "Auntie Grace," had lived in Paso Robles since 1923, and was well known throughout the county for her civic and social work. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of Paso Robles, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the order of the Eastern Star and the PTA. Mrs. Lyle was the first mother advisor of the Paso Robles chapter of the Rainbow Girls.
Surviving her are the widower, Dewitt; two daughters, Lois Warner and Beverly Tornquist, all of Paso Robles; two sisters, Mrs. Robert Cole and Mrs. Walter Pettis, both of Fargo, N. D. and six grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart Fund, the Arthritis Foundation or St. James Episcopal Church.
Services are under the direction of the Chapel of the Roses, Atascadero.
Private family services will be held at Chapel of the Roses, Atascadero, for Lois Marjorie Warner, 60, of San Luis Obispo. Inurnment will be in the Paso Robles Cemetery.
Mrs. Warner was born Jan. 30, 1919, in North Dakota. She died Sunday in a San Luis Obispo hospital. She had lived in Paso Robles since 1940, where she had been a substitute teacher for the Paso Robles School District from 1966 until 1974. She moved to San Luis Obispo in 1977.
Surviving are her son, Ellsworth Warner of Salinas; a daughter, Pam Rogers of Arroyo Grande; a sister, Beverly Tornquist of Paso Robles; and two grandchildren.
San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, Feb 27, 1979, pg. A7, col 5
Florence Wells Lyle died January 4 in Santa Maria. She was born Oct. 28, 1900 in Red Lake Falls, Minn. and came to Paso Robles in 1924.
Survivors include her husband, Henry Chapman Lyle; daughters Betty Davis of Santa Maria, Barbara Beck of Sacramento; and Patricia Schulz of Boulder City, Nev.; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
For many years the Lyles owned and operated Lyle's Cafe, 12th and Spring, and operated the Greyhound franchise prior to World War II.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, Fr. Richard Beaumont officiating. Friends may make memorial contributions to the Episcopal Church organ fund.
Paso Robles Daily Press, Jan 5, 1978
