Elizariy Ivanovich Mikhnyev came from a princely family. In 1600, he served as a nobleman in the embassy in Poland, and in 1605, he became a voivode in Putivl. In 1621, he founded the noble family of Mikhnyevs. His mother, Evdokiya Nikitichna Odoevskaya, belonged to the princely family of the Odoevskys, which, like Elizariy's father, Ivan Mikhailovich Yeletskiy, traced its lineage back to the Rurikids. Thus, Elizariy was a descendant of a princely dynasty on both his maternal and paternal sides. Ivan Mikhailovich Yeletskiy came from the princely family of the Yelets, where many generations served as voivodes.

From childhood, Elizariy Mikhnyev displayed courage, pride, and bravery. His father trained him in military affairs, and eventually, he entered a military academy, becoming a voivode. For capturing a thief who had been sought for over a year, he received a reward, a certificate, and 500 gold coins, which he spent on building a house. In 1621, he founded the noble family of Mikhnyevs and adopted the surname Mikhnyev.

Elizariy's parents were against his decision to establish a noble lineage, fearing that he would lose his princely title and become an ordinary nobleman. However, despite this, he remained a prince, and his descendants also retained this title.

Elizariy Ivanovich passed away at the age of 70. His wife and children mourned him for a long time.

His second cousin, Ivanov Alexander Andreevich, became a famous artist. Elizariy was also a distant relative of the Queen Consort of Prussia, Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, the daughter of King George I of Great Britain and the wife of King Frederick William I of Prussia, and the mother of King Frederick II of Prussia.