Amanda Jane Lingenfelter
(1840–1914)
Basic Facts
Born: 15 OCT 1840 • East Huntingdon, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania
Died: Death 11 APRIL 1914 • Bradford, McKean, Pennsylvania
Parents: George A Lingenfelter and Jane Lingenfelter (nee’ Wilson)
Spouse: John Golden
Children: George William Golden, Artlissa Sara “Artie” Golden, Lenore “Noria Golden”, Edward “Eddie” “Egbert” Golden, John S. Golden, Charles E Golden, Samuel Golden, Josephine.
Siblings: Barbara Ellen Lingenfelter, Mary Ann Lingenfelter, Thompson M Lingenfelter, Snyder C Lingenfelter, Edward R Lingenfelter, America Lingenfelter (1856) – possibly a niece?, Emma Lingenfelter.
Alternate name spellings and mis-spellings for Amanda Jane Lingenfelter
Amanda Hess, Amanda Golden, Amanda Leinenfeider, In Lindenfelser, Amanda Lincohifetter, Mrs. Amanda Golden.
About -
Amanda Jane’s life is a patchwork of marriages, census records, and lingering mysteries that haven’t quite unraveled—yet. Her first known husband was John Golden, who died sometime before 1895, though the exact date remains elusive. She later married Jacob Hess, a Civil War veteran, whose date of death is also unknown. What we do know is that Amanda outlived them both.
Early Married Life With John Golden
The 1870 Census — Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
In the 1870 census, Amanda Jane, then 27 years old, was living in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, with her husband John Golden, age 35 and working as a day laborer. Their household included six children:
George, 12
Artlissia, 10
Lenora, 8
John, 6
Eddie, 4
Charles, 2
It’s a bustling household, and one of the clearest snapshots we have of Amanda’s early family life.
The Lingenfelters Next Door
Her Parents on the Same Census Page
Just above the Golden household on that same census page are Amanda’s parents, George Lingenfelter, age 57, and Jane Wilson Lingenfelter, age 50. Also in their home were Snider, age 17, working as a farm laborer, and a 14‑year‑old named America Wilson.
The possibilities are many, but it seems likely that America could have been a niece or nephew of Jane Wilson. Unfortunately, time and effort have not yet revealed any of Jane’s siblings. The mystery continues.
Later Years as Amanda Hess
The 1900 Census — Bradford, Pennsylvania
By June 16, 1900, Amanda appears in the federal census as Amanda Hess, age 54, living at 97 Washington Street in Bradford, Pennsylvania, with her mother Jane Lingenfelter, then 84 years old. It’s a rare and touching record of a mother and daughter in their later years, still together.
A Note for Researchers
For anyone researching Amanda, a word of caution: she is very easy to confuse with another Amanda Jane Lingenfelter who lived in Altoona, Pennsylvania. That Amanda—something of a society woman—has her own tangled story, complete with a few scandals. But that tale is best told by Kerri, who has a fine grasp on all the drama and, if asked, she will tell it like it was.
Records & Sources:
Marriage record – [year, county]
Find A Grave memorial (if applicable)
FamilySearch ID: [ID]
Burial Burial Bradford, McKean, Pennsylvania. Oak Hill, Bradford, Pa. according to death certificate.
Lists: Bradford, Pennsylvania, 1887-93
Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993
Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1972
Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1972
