My Genealogy Hound

ED HAYES, the efficient Alderman from the Second Ward of Murphysboro, who is now living a retired life in this city, claims England as the land of his birth. His father, Richard Hayes, and his grandfather, Edmund Hayes, were natives of that country, and the latter was a miner by occupation. Together they came to America, locating in Allegheny County, Pa., where Edmund Hayes died at the age of eighty years. The father became Superintendent of a mine. In 1858 he brought his family to the United States and took up his residence Centre County, where, after mining for a time, he embarked in the hotel business in Philipsburg, where he spent his remaining days. In England he married Martha Rhodes, who died in that country, and later he was again married. He had a large family by the first union but our subject is now the only survivor.

Ed Hayes was born in Tinsley, Lancashire, England, December 2, 1848, and when a lad of ten summers crossed the Atlantic. He soon began work in the mines, where he was employed until 1865, which year witnessed his removal westward. On reaching Illinois he cast his lot with the citizens of Du Quoin, and engaged in clerking in the grocery store of his uncle for about five years. On the expiration of that period he went with his uncle to Mobile, Ala., where he continued to work as a salesman for one year. He then returned to Du Quoin, where in connection with his brother he engaged in the bottling business, manufacturing soda waters.

In Effingham, Ill., in 1869, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage with Miss Esther Smith, a native of Yorkshire, England. Her maidenhood days, however, were spent in this state. One child was born to them, Reuben, who is now Superintendent of the bottling works in Spokane Falls, Wash.

In 1875 Mr. Hayes established the bottling works in Murphysboro, and continued business along that line for seventeen years. He met with most excellent success in this undertaking, and enjoyed a large and lucrative trade until selling out, since which time he has practically lived retired. However, he is connected with the Lower Mill. His life has been a busy one, yet he has found time to serve in official positions. He was President of the School Board one year, was elected Alderman from the Third Ward in 1885, for a term of two years, and in 1892 was again elected. In politics he is a Populist. He was Chairman of the Congressional Committee, and served as delegate to the national convention in Omaha. He holds membership with Amity Lodge, I. O. O. F., and with the Masonic fraternity. His labors in former years brought him the competence which now enables him to live retired.