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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES W. HAYES, deceased, Bloomington, whose portrait has a place in this work, was born in Haddonfield, N. J., July 3, 1833; his mother died when he was but a child, and soon after his father moved to California, and there died; he spent his early boyhood with his uncle, a farmer in Bucks Co., Penn.; at the proper age, he returned to Haddonfield and there learned the trade of a carpenter with another uncle, after which he went to Philadelphia, and there resided until the year 1855, when he was married and moved West. During the summer of 1855, he worked in Quincy, and in December of the same year, in company with Mr. John W. Evans, afterward and ever since his partner, came to Bloomington, and in the following spring began business as a contractor; in 1858, Hayes & Evans bought a two-thirds interest in the establishment then owned by Parke & Bros., and which occupied the same spot as does the well-known shop of Hayes & Evans today; Mr. S. S. Parke remained in the firm, which was known as Hayes, Evans & Co.; soon afterward, they bought out Mr. Parke and changed the name of the firm accordingly; in 1859, the shop, which had already fallen a prey to the flames twice before, was destroyed by fire, and was immediately rebuilt; from its organization, the firm of Hayes & Evans was successful; they have always been busy; their contracts have been faithfully performed, and both members of the firm have advanced from the foot of the ladder to the positions in which they are known, by perseverance, industry and good management; to the character of the deceased much of all this is due; he was a man of wonderful energy, indomitable pluck, and clear and foreseeing mind; quick spoken, and straightforward in his address, he was sometimes misunderstood by those who knew him but slightly, but all who had continued intercourse with him, either in social or business relations, learned soon to appreciate his character; during his association with Mr. Evans, the deceased superintended the outside work, giving to this department the activity and energy which characterized him, while Evans gave his attention to the work of the office and the shop. Mr. Hayes was a member of Remembrance Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Wade Barney Lodge of Masons. Mr. Hayes married, May 2, 1855, Miss Elizabeth S. Burk (daughter of Thomas and Ann Burk, natives of Philadelphia, Penn.); they have seven children— Ella (now Mrs. Dr. C. R. Carr, of Bloomington), Thomas B., Alice L., Howard E., William S., James W., Jr., and Fredonia. Mr. Hayes’ death occurred Jan. 27, 1874, from an aggravated lung trouble. His widow married Feb. 1, 1876, Luther Wilson, and still resides in Bloomington; they have had two children, one living—Luther, and one dead— Grace.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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