Santa Clara County
Biographies
EVERIS ANSON HAYES
EVERIS ARSON HAYES.
The traits of character that have brought distinction and success to
twentieth-century representatives of the Hayes family are a direct heritage
from a long line of forefathers possessing the sterling qualities of the Scotch
race. The family genealogy shows that many generations gone by some of the name
crossed the border from Scotland to the north of England, from which locality
in 1683 George Hayes immigrated to Connecticut and became the founder of the
family in America. Numerous of his descendants bore a valiant part in the
events culminating in the independence of our nation and in every generation
the family has evinced the utmost loyalty to country and a high type of public
spirit. Following the trend of emigration westward, early in the nineteenth
century the family became established in what was then the frontier, beyond the
pale of civilization as it then existed.
During the residence
of Anson and Mary (Folsom) Hayes at Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., their
son, whose name introduces this article, was born March 10, 1855. The
various industries with which the father was connected (that of railroad
contractor, merchant and farmer) proved sufficiently profitable to enable him
to give his children the best advantages of that day and locality, and the son,
after having completed the studies of the public school, matriculated in the
University of Wisconsin, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws
in 1879 and that of Bachelor of Letters in 1882. Previous to receiving the
latter degree he had made his home in Madison, Wis., where he was a member of
the common council and a practitioner of growing prominence. During 1883 he
removed to Ashland, Wis., and formed a partnership with his brother, Jay Orley Hayes, and Col. John H. Knight. After four years
the brothers disposed of their interests in Ashland and removed to Ironwood,
Gogebic county, Mich., having previously acquired important mining interests in
the Gogebic iron range, to which they now gave their entire time and attention.
Under their capable oversight their large interests were soon placed upon a
profitable and systematic basis. When that time came, desiring to settle in a
more genial climate, they came to California, and in the fall of 1887 purchased
a large and valuable ranch property near San Jose.
From the year of their
arrival to the present time the brothers have been influential factors in the
development of the fruit interests of the Santa Clara valley. While many other
enterprises have engaged their attention during recent years, their connection
has continued with the ranch, which is owned by a corporation known as the
Hayes-Chynoweth Company, E. A. Hayes being president of the organization
and J. O. its secretary and treasurer. During the panic of 1894, when in
every part of the United States old-established firms succumbed to the pressure
and became bankrupt, they weathered the storm, not only paying their personal
indebtedness, but also paying many outlawed claims caused by the endorsement of
notes for friends. With a high sense of honor they refused to take advantage of
circumstances whch (sic) would have freed them
from any obligation in connection with the outlawed debts.
No event in the
business history of the brothers has surpassed in importance their connection
with local journalism. In 1900 they acquired by purchase the San Jose
Herald, the city’s leading evening paper. The following year their
journalistic interests were greatly increased by the purchase of the San
Jose Mercury, the only morning paper in the city. Under their keen business
management, unsurpassed tact and sagacious judgment these papers have become
the most important in the state, outside of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and
wield an influence that is not limited to the Santa Clara valley, although
naturally their circulation is largest and their power strongest in the home
locality.
A stanch
supporter of the Republican party, E. A. Hayes at this writing holds office as
chairman of the Republican central committee of Santa Clara county and
frequently, in the interests of the party, he has “stumped” the state. In the
summer of 1904 he was nominated for congress by the Republican party. Socially
he holds membership in the Union League Club of San Francisco. In addition to
being president of the Mercury Publishing Company, vice-president of the Herald
Publishing Company and president of the Hayes-Chynoweth Company, he retains his
interests in Michigan mines, and holds the office of president of the Hayes
Mining Company, owners of the famous Ashland iron mines at Ironwood, and in
addition has the presidency of the Harmony Iron Company, which owns important
and valuable iron properties in Iron county; Wis. Diversified as are his
interests, no detail is neglected conducive to the success of any interest and
no pains are spared to make each enterprise the peer of others in the same line
of activity. As land owner, mine owner, investor and publisher, he finds an
abundant field for the exercise of his varied talents and an opportunity to
identify himself with men foremost in these industries. Indissolubly associated
with the history of San Jose his name will be perpetuated in many enterprises
of permanent value to the city’s progress.
The first marriage of
Mr. Hayes, in 1884, united him with Miss Nettie Louisa Porter, who died in
1891. Two years later he was united with Miss Mary Louisa Bassett, of
Whitewater, Wis. Mr. Hayes is the father of six children, three by his
first marriage and three by his second marriage.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 31 July 2014.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 254-255. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2014 Marie Hassard.