Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hayden, Daniel ************************************************ 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 3:35 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 DANIEL HAYDEN. The gentleman whose namie introduces this review is one of the largest land owners of this great agricultural state, being the possessor of seven hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Florence township, this supplying him with an annual rental which has enabled him since 1904 to live in honorable retirement. He was in former years one of the most extensive farmers and stock dealers of Will county, but since 1904 has abandoned all active business pursuits and now merely gives his attention to his invested interests, although he still retains his residence on the farm, which is the old Hayden homestead, his sister, Annie E., residing with him. His paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Daniel Hayden, was born in Ireland and was one of the active participants in the rebellion of 1798. He was married there to Miss Catherine Donahue, also a native of the Emerald isle, and her death occurred in Ireland during her early womanhood. In 1845, when advanced in years, the grandfather emigrated to this country and died a few months later at the home of his son John, the father of our subject. John Hayden, likewise a native of Ireland, born in 1815, emigrated to the United States when a young man of twenty years, having been attracted to the new world by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities here afforded to young men of ambition and determination. He made his way to Maine, purchasing land in Lincoln county, where he followed farming for several years. He was married in Ireland to Miss Hannah Kinsilla. She was born in Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Burns) Kinsilla. The former died in that country, after which the mother and two daughters came to America, the year of their arrival being 1850, and the mother made her home with a son until her death. The Kinsilla family at one time was a very wealthy one, its members owning valuable landed possessions, but on account of not affiliating with the established church of the seventeenth century their property was confiscated. In 1851 John Hayden, with his family, came to Illinois. He settled in Joliet, where he bought teams, hired men and engaged in teaming to the quarries and railroads. After five years in that business he removed to Florence township, where he purchased a farm of fifty-three acres on section 12, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits. He possessed the industry, thrift and economy so characteristic of the people of his race, so that as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings until he became the owner of thirteen hundred acres, constituting him one of the wealthiest citizens of Will county. He spent his remaining days on his farm, his death there occurring April 5, 1889, while his widow survived for only about a year, passing away February 28, 1890. There were nine children born of this marriage, namely: Mary, who is married and resides on a farm in the Pine Tree state; Daniel, of this review; Catherine; Bridget; Thomas; John; Hannah; Burnett and Anna S. The father gave his political support to the democratic party, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. Daniel Hayden was born in Kennebec county, Maine, August 13, 1839, and acquired his education in Whitefield, that state, and in the country schools subsequent to the removal of the family to Will county. He was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to this state, and here worked with his father on the farm, aiding in the development and cultivation of new land. He later worked on the construction of the Rock Island Railroad, and in November, 1852, in company with Governor Matteson, rode on the first train which ran over the road. In 1853 he also worked on the building of the Joliet & Alton Railroad, constructing that portion which is now known as the branch of the Michigan Central line. Resuming farming operations, he was thus engaged until the winter of 1863-4, when he secured employment on a commissary boat, which delivered supplies to the soldiers at Vicksburg. He again returned to Florence township, where he was engaged continuously in farming and stock-raising pursuits until 1904, since which time he has lived retired. He formerly raised Percheron and Norman horses and fed from fifty to one hundred head of cattle and hogs each year. At the death of the father, the widow inherited a large estate, which, upon the death of the latter, was left to the children, so that Mr. Hayden is now in possession of a valuable farm of seven hundred and twenty acres. Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Hayden has always supported the democratic party, and is a communicant of the Catholic church. He has never cared for public office and, aside from serving as school director for four or five years and filling the office of pathmaster for three years, has never held public office. He is a man of pleasing appearance, of genial disposition and cordial manner, so that he has won many warm personal friends during the long years of his residence in Will county, which covers more than a half century. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hayden2542nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb