Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Hayes, Eli November 19, 1837 - 
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Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 18, 2009, 1:33 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

ELI HAYES, resident at Big Rapids, was born at Bennington, Vt., Nov. 19, 1837, 
and is a son of Erastus H. 

and Maria (Harmon) Hayes.  His father died when he was between four and five 
years of age, leaving the 

mother with four young children, the eldest of whom was nine years old.  With 
the energy and determintation 

which charcterizes  New England mothers, she kept her flock together, bringing 
her boys up to work on the 

little farm of 36 acres; and when Mr. Hayes, her youngest child, was 17 years 
of age,t he place was sold 

and the proceeds distributed among the heirs.  Through the mismanagement of a 
brother, Mr. Hayes lost his 

little patrimony and entered upon his life's struggle empty-handed.  His first 
work for himself was to 

learn his trade, and he went to Glens Falls, N.Y., for the prosecution of that 
purpose.  He stayed there 

five years, accomplishing all the plans he had designed and becoming familiar 
with all mechanical details.

Five years later he went to Stillwater, N.Y., and became foreman for Cornell & 
Ladow in the same line of 

business, and fille dthe position three years.  He then began business on his 
own account in the same 

avenue, employing half a dozen youths as assistants.  He soon afterwards 
admitted John E. Burrows as a 

partner, and the next spring they removed their business to Mechanicsville, 
N.Y., and there continued to 

operate nearly three years, when they made another remove to Lape Hollow, near 
Lansingburg, N.Y., where 

they remained about a year.

Mr. Hayes sold out and went to Vergennes, Vt., and formed an association with 
Joseph Falardo.  They 

established a large and prosperous business, which they prosecuted about eight 
years, when Mr. Hayes sold 

out again and bought the establishment of the Vergennes Machine Co., 
manufacturing pumping machinery for 

supplying water to towns and cities.  He had three associates, and, the 
affairs of the concern eventuating 

disasterously at the termination of six years, Mr. Hayes closed business.  
Again associating himself with 

Joseph Falardo, they started a mill in Whitehall, N.Y., and operated about 18 
months in the manufacture of 

doors, sash and blinds.  In February 1882, they removed to Big Rapids and 
built a sash, door and blind 

factory at the east end of the lower dam.  Of this establishment Joseph F. 
Hayes is the proprietor, and the 

operative departments are managed by Messrs. Hayes and Falardo; a force of 50 
workmen is usually employed, 

the business is prosperous and its relations gradually widening.  Mr. Hayes 
has a genius for his peculiar 

line of business and is naturally adapted to the construction of mill 
machinery.

Mr. Hayes was married at Glens Falls, March 27, 1857, to Frances M., daughter 
of Stephen V.R. and Sarah 

Shouts.  She was born at Glens Falls, March 28, 1842.  Of four children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes three 

are living:  Stephen V.R., an attorney at Big Rapids, Joseph F. and Fannie J. 
Lousie, (sic) eldest child, 

is deceased.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/hayes604nbs.txt

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