Son of James R. ("Hugh") Isbell Jr. and Clarissa Crittenden;
grandson of James R. Isbell and Elizabeth Birdwell.
A transcript of the Isbell family bible gives their son Zachariah's birth as March 6, 1871, while his headstone gives the date March 26, 1861.
He was possibly named Elijah for his father's double-first cousin, Elijah Miller Isbell, son of Levi and Sarah Birdwell Isbell.

Zachariah Elijah Isbell married Melinda (Malinda, Milinda) Josephine Ponder, who was older than he and apparently a widow, but the ages vary in censuses.

He was a carpenter.

1900: Jasper, Walker Co., AL. census
Zachariah Isbell 30 AL AL AL (b. March 1870)
Malinda J Isbell 42 AL GA GA (b. May 1858)
Daniel J Isbell 19 AL AL AL "step-son"(b. March 1881)(her son by former marriage)
Frances L Isbell 13 AL AL AL daughter July 1886
James A Isbell 10 AL AL AL b. March 1890 (sic)
George W Isbell 9 AL AL AL b. Jan 1891
Berta M Isbell 7 AL AL AL b.Jan 1893
Lulu J Isbell 4 AL AL AL b.July 1896

1910:

1914: Zachariah E. Isbell, Melinda Isbell, living at 235 Forest av., Gadsden, AL.

1920: Mary Lee, Walker Co., AL. census
Zacheriah Isbell 51 AL (1869)
Malindy J Isbell 62 AL
Malindy J Day 15 AL granddaughter

1930: Cold Spring, Cullman, AL. census
Zacherias E Isbell 69 NC NC NC
Malinda J Isbell 74 AL AL AL

Alabama Deaths, 1908-59
Name:Elijah Z Isbell
Death Date:15 Mar 1943
Death County:Walker
Volume:13
Certificate:6217
Roll:4


Name: Elijah Zaccariah Isbell
Event Date: 05 Mar 1943
Event Place: Walker County, Alabama
Gender: Male
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Age (Original): 83y
Birth Year (Estimated): 1860
Birth Date (Original):
Birthplace: Morgan County, Alabama
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name: Melinda
Father's Name: Elijah Zaccariah Isbell (sic)
Father's Birthplace: Morgan County, Alabama
Address: Rural Rt 3.
Residence Place: Walker County, Alabama
Informant's Name (Original): X
GS Film number: 1908624
Reference ID: cn 6217