Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hayden, John ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:41 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 JOHN HAYDEN, one of the most wealthy and prominent men in Florence Township, is likewise one of its most enterprising and progressive. He has a valuable farm with first-class improvements, and his surroundings all indicate the exercise of cultured tastes and ample means. The family stands second to none in Will County, in point of respectability and sterling worth, and forms a portion of the element which has brought it to its present position, morally, socially and financially. Mr. Hayden, in his search for a permanent location, wandered a long way from his birthplace, which was in Lincoln County, Me., where he first opened his eyes to the light. His father, John Hayden, was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, where he was reared to man's estate and married Miss Hannah Kinsella, who was born and reared not far from the childhood home of her husband. They lived there until early in 1836, when the father, desirous of bettering his condition, resolved upon seeking the New World. He set out on Easter morning in February, from the Key of Ross, and after a safe voyage landed in Quebec, Canada. A short time later he proceeded to New York State, and from there to Gardner, Me. Subsequently he located in Lincoln County, that State, where he resided until 1850. Deciding now upon seeking the far west, John Hayden, leaving the Pine Tree State, came to Illinois, and settled in Joliet, of which he was a resident several years. Thence he removed to Spencer, and from there, in 1860, came to this county, locating on the farm, in Florence Township, which is now occupied by his son John. As the result of industry and perseverance, he became well-to-do and the owner of a whole section of land, besides what he gave to his sons. He also owned property in Chicago. He came to Illinois poor in purse, and accumulated his possessions solely by his own industry. He was a well-educated man, and looked carefully after the training of his children, both in school and at home. He was modest and unassuming in disposition, never seeking publicity in any shape. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which he loyally adhered, and after becoming a voting citizen in America, identified himself with the Democratic party. He departed this life at the homestead April 5, 1889, aged seventy-seven years. The mother survived her husband less than a year, her death taking place February 28, 1890, when she was seventy- five years old. To John Hayden, Sr., and his good wife there was born a family of nine children, who were named respectively: Mary, Daniel, Catherine, Bridget, Thomas, John, Hannah, Burnett and Anna S. Bridget, Burnett and Anna S. are deceased; Mary is married and a resident of Maine. The other children are living in this State. John, our subject was a child of four years when his parents came to this county, and he spent his boyhood and youth after the manner of most farmers' sons, becoming familiar with the arts of plowing, sowing and reaping, and choosing this for his vocation in life. He is considerably interested in live stock, and has four hundred and eighty acres of land in Florence Township, comprising a part of sections 12, 2, 11 and 10. The residence is on the first mentioned. Besides this he has eighty acres on section 23, Reed Township. Mr. Hayden is raising some fine blooded horses of Norman and trotting stock, and is able to exhibit some of the choicest animals in this part of Illinois. The male members of the Hayden family have been distinguished for generations for their love of the equine race, and are particularly fond of fast horses. They obtained a fine reputation as breeders, and have furnished many of the racers who have won distinction on the popular tracks of the country. Mr. Hayden bids fair to be in no-wise behind his progenitors in this respect. He is a keen judge of the fine points of horseflesh, and evidently possesses a natural adaptation for this business. Although not meddling very much in politics, Mr. Hayden keeps himself thoroughly posted in regard to current events, and gives his unqualified support to the Democratic party. He has held the office of Road Commissioner and served as Treasurer of Florence Township for the last eleven years. In religious matters he adheres to the Catholic faith of his forefathers, and his wife and family are in full sympathy with him in this respect. Miss Bridget Bergan, of Manhattan, this county, was wedded to our subject February 24, 1876. Mrs. Hayden was born in Manhattan, March 17, 1852, and is a daughter of Martin and Hester (Welch) Bergan, who were natives of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The parents were reared and married in their native county, and emigrated to America about 1846. They first settled in Peoria, but the following year took up their residence in Manhattan, where they still live. Of this union there have been born five children, viz.: John F., Daniel, William, Martin G. and Anna, all of whom are living and form an exceedingly bright and interesting group, receiving careful parental training and the older ones pursuing their studies in the common schools. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hayden1446nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb