Alameda County
Biographies
JOHN H. HAYES
A man of liberal views and broad sympathies, a lover of nature in every form, a practical orchardist, and an expert hunter and fisherman, John H. Hayes, of Decoto, Washington township, is widely known throughout this section of the state as a successful horticulturist, and an important factor in advancing the industrial prosperity of town and county. Of substantial New England ancestry, he was born August 5, 1833, in Brewer, Me., a son of John Blake Hayes. He comes from a family of prominence, being a lineal descendant of one George Hayes, who emigrated from Scotland to New England in 1680, settling in Windsor, Conn. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Waldron Hayes, was a brother of Rutherford Hayes, the father of Rutherford B. Hayes, who served as president of the United States from 1877 until 1881.
Born and reared in Bangor, Me., John Blake Hayes was a man of versatile talents and a gifted orator. He received excellent educational advantages and was graduated from Yale College. He was for many years prominent in public affairs, attaining eminence in political circles, and for a number of terms serving as justice of the peace. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, loved and respected by all. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Rice, was born in Charlestown, Mass., and died at the age of eighty-four years. Her father, Thomas Rice, was collector of the port of Boston for a long time.
One of a family of four children, John H. Hayes spent his boyhood at home, attending the common and high schools. He subsequently completed his education at Bowdoin College, working his way through by teaching school. After his graduation, he taught in the academics at Lewiston Falls and Auburn, Me., and at West Dennis Academy, near Harwich, Mass. Migrating to California in 1859, Mr. Hayes worked as a miner for two years, and was subsequently engaged in getting out timber to be used in tunneling mines. Returning then to Maine, where he had left his family, he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in the northern part of the state, and was soon after appointed enrolling officer for that section of the country. He was influential in the management of public affairs, serving as superintendent of schools, and as selectman. In September, 1863, he was drafted, and at once reported to headquarters in Bangor, Me., where he served as recruiting officer until the close of the war. Being then elected city clerk of Bangor, he held the office for seven years, and was afterwards justice of the peace, serving for twenty-one years at different times, during which time he married more than a thousand couples. Resigning the position to come west in 1875, his wife succeeded him in office, being the first woman appointed justice of the peace in the state of Maine.
On arriving in California Mr. Hayes settled in San Francisco, and for a number of years was secretary of the Central Railway Company. On resigning that office, he was appointed deputy assessor of the city, and held the position for a year. Going then to Moscow, Idaho, with his family, he was engaged in business as a general merchant for two years. Being appointed superintendent of the United States India Agency, at Lapwai, Idaho, his wife at the same time being made matron, he retained the position until her death in 1883, when he resigned. Again taking up his residence in San Francisco, Mr. Hayes carried on a good business as an insurance and real estate agent until 1891, when he removed to Alameda county. Settling in Washington township, about half a mile from Decoto, he purchased his present ranch of ten acres, paying three hundred dollars an acre. He has since made valuable improvements, rendering his estate one of the most attractive and desirable in this vicinity. He has a fine orchard, and in the culture of fruit of various kinds has been exceptionally successful.
Mr. Hayes first married April 13, 1859, in Maine, Annie L. Fovell, who was born in Winterport, Me., and died in Lapwai, Idaho. Of the six children born of their union, one died in infancy, and five are living: Frank H., engaged in the lumber business in Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Carrie A. Campbell, of Seattle Wash.; Wilbur E., cashier of a bank in Los Banos, Cal.; Mrs. Marion W. Palmer, of St. Helena, Cal.; and Harry L., acting postmaster at Moscow, Idaho. Mr. Hayes married the second time September 3, 1884, Mrs. Mary McMurray, widow of James D. McMurray, an ex-sheriff of Eldorado county. Mrs. Hayes was born in St. Louis, Mo. Politically Mr. Hayes is identified with the Republican party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. In 1850, more than half a century ago, he united with the Congregational Church. Since coming to Decoto, Mr. Hayes has been equally active in his religious zeal, and in 1895 being largely instrumental in raising the funds for the erection of a church in that town. He also gave material assistance besides, both he and the minister taking off their coats and helping in the manual labor of building the beautiful edifice.
Transcribed
8-29-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 751-752. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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