Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Obituary of EZRA G. HAYES
Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Lawrenceburg Press, June 12, 1919
EZRA G. HAYES DIES, AGED 91
Ezra G. Hayes, perhaps the oldest native born citizen of Dearborn county, departed this life Thursday, aged ninty-one.
His father, Joseph Hayes, settled in Dearborn county between 1790 and 1800. He became the owner of valuable land, was a prosperous farmer, and accumulated during his life quite a large estate. Ezra, his son, was given a fairly good education. After attending the common schools in the vicinity of his home, he was sent to Miami University. During the time he attended the university he had Benjamin Harrison as a schoolmate, and the friendship thus formed in school days continued during the life of President Harrison.
After Mr. Hayes completed his course at the university, he actively engaged in business. For several years he was engaged in buying and selling stock, his father being the owner of a large number of acres of rich Ohio and Miami bottom land, raised thousands of bushels of corn, which they required at that time to feed the stock. Mr. Hayes made frequent trips to the central part of the state to purchase hogs and cattle. Those were fattened, slaughtered and the meat loaded in flatboats and shipped south by river and sold.
An opportunity presented itself for Mr. Hayes to engage in the distilling business, in which he continued until the civil war, when he disposed of his interests.
During the civil war, he was active in support of the government and the administration of President Lincoln. He never let an opportunity pass to help or assist in the putting down of the rebellion and preserving the Union. While he never was a partisan, no person during his long life ever doubted for a moment his patriotism and strong attachment to the government.
After the Civil War, Mr. Hayes was engaged for several years in the banking business, being one of the directors of the First National bank of this city.After retiring from the banking business, he engaged more actively in farming, in which occupation he continued in the later years of his life.
He was an earnest student of history. Having ample means, he purchased one of the finest libaries in southern Indiana. He possessed many rare and valuable books and maps. Scientists and historians, knowing of the valuable library possessed by him, came there to examine authorities on questions under their consideration.
The old cemetery of Lawrenceburg, owing to the growth of the city, had become unsuitable for burial of the dead. Mr. Hayes, John Anderogg and Captain John Schwartz interested themselves in securing a new burial ground. An association was formed, land was purchased of Joseph hayes, and Greendale cemetery was laid out. Mr. Hayes served as president of the association for many years.
Decedent was a member of Lawrenceburg lodge, F. and A. M., for more than sixty years. He was also a member of the Historical Society of Ohio.
In 1851 he married Miss Laura Morgan with whom he lived happily until her death. He subsequently married Miss Caroline Major, daughter of Daniel S. Major, one of the leading attorneys of the state. Mrs. Hayes died six years ago.
During his life he was personally acquainted with many of the leading statesman, financiers and scientists of this country, and many have enjoyed his hospitality. He was an excellent conversationalist, possessing a remarkable memory, was a great reader of history, as well as of current events. Was able to converse intelligently on almost any subject that presented itself.
His long life was passed in the vicinity where he was born. He saw children grow to womanhood and manhood, then pass away, while he lived to tell the younger generation around him of the pioneer days and the growth and development of the country. In his latter years, as he walked the streets of Lawrenceburg, which he had seen grow from a small village to a city, he no doubt enjoyed some of the rewards of his useful and quiet life, for he must have known, as he met and greeted his fellow citizens, and neighbors, the high regard in which he was held by them.
Mr. Hayes is survived by two sons, A. L. Hayes of Nashville, Tenn., and Ezra P. Hayes of Lawrenceburg, now in France, and one daughter, Mrs. Jacob M. Bauer, of Cincinnatti, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services in charge of the Masonic brethren were held at the residence on Mary street Monday afternoon.
More Replies:
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Robert Stevens 5/09/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Nora Laikam 5/09/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Robert Stevens 5/10/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
5/16/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Robert Stevens 5/16/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
5/18/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
Robert Stevens 5/19/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
5/16/00
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana
-
Re: Ezra G. HAYES Indiana