John Richey Hayden

JOHN RICHEY HAYDEN. Among the retired citizens of the borough of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, no man stands higher in the estimation of his life long neighbors that John R. Hayden, who descended through the following genealogy : 

(I) Ebenezer Hayden, the grandfather, was of Scotch-Irish parentage. The family settled in New Jersey and came to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1774. Mr. Hayden was a man of exceptional qualifications. He was born in New Jersey, and came to this county in 1774, location on the Young river, known as Budd's Ferry, where he conducted a ferry business for eighteen or twenty years. He built large boats for the crossing of large droves of cattle en route to the eastern markets. In this he had many interesting experiences and narrow escapes. Often the entire load of cattle would be capsized in the river, an then the scramble for safety begun, Mr. Hayden often climbing upon the back of some wild steer and riding in safety to land. Mr. Hayden also followed the various vocations of shoemaking, blacksmithing and carpentering, and was recognized as a competent physician and surge, although never having taken a medical or surgical course. He was self-taught in this latter profession, and his practice extended over a wide territory of this and adjoining counties. He was a great reader, and deep thinker of more than average intellect. politically he was a strong Democrat, and in religion was a member of the Baptist church. He married a Miss O'Brien, and their children were : John, William, of whom later, and a daughter who died in childhood. Mr. Hayden died at the age of eighty-nine years. 

(II) William Hayden, son of Ebenezer Hayden (I), was born at Budds Ferry, in 1806, and died in 1892. The early part of his life was spent at brick making, but subsequently followed farming. He married, in 1839, Juliann Wiley, daughter of Sampson Wiley and wife. They were the parents of six children, all deceased now, but two---John Richey and Mrs. Jesse S. Wall. The names of the children in this family are : Agnes, Catherine, Brinton, John R., William, Hannah Jane. The mother was born in 1819 and died 1882. Among the important historic events recounted with great pleasure by the family, and with which William Hayden participated, was the reception given to General Lafayette on his return visit in 1825. It was tendered him in Rostraver township, this county, at the old Rohoboth Church. Mr. Hayden received a good common school education ; was politically a stanch Democrat and a hearty supporter of Jackson, both in the campaign of 1828 and 1832. On the maternal side the grandfather, Sampson Wiley, came from Ireland in 1795 and married Anna McGrew. Their children were : William, Sampson, Joseph, James, Nathan, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, Juliann and Hannah. 

(III) John R. Hayden, the fourth child of William and Juliann (Wiley) Hayden (2), born March 2, 1846, in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, received his education both at the common and private schools of his native county. His active career was commenced as a farmer and brick manufacturer, but later he came a coal operator, which branch of business he followed from 1882 to 1892. During the last named year he was elected poor director of Westmoreland county and succeeded himself, holding the office five terms or then years, which record has never been made in the county before. It was in 1903 that he removed to the fifth ward in the borough of Greensburg, where he erected one and purchased two good residences on Alexander street. The principal business with which he is connected at this time, is that of a large foundry at Hunkert, he being the president of the Greensburg Wheel and Supply Company. Mr. Hayden's life has been an exemplary one in all respects. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is advanced to the high degree of Knights Templarship. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party. 

John R. Hayden married, in 1868, near Irwin, Pennsylvania, Sarah Jane Byerly, daughter of William Findlay and Margaret Ann (Bankard) Byerly. The Byerlys are farmers. Mrs. Hayden was born November 22, 1846, and received a good education in the public school and also had the advantage of private instruction under Dr. Andrew Byerly, her uncle, who at present is professor of Latin and Greek, and vice-principal of the Millersville (Pennsylvania) State Norman school. Her father was an elder in the Presbyterian church for fifty years in succession ; he died in 1904. His wife, the companion of a long married life. died October, 1901, and they were buried in Union cemetery at Irwin, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden are the parents of children : 1. Frank W., born October 11, 11869, married Ella Weddell, and they have two daughters---Mildred and Gertrude. 2. Harry E., born March 31, 1872, died August 5, 1897. 3. William Findlay, born July 14, 1874, married, October 21, 1899, at Irwin, Pennsylvania , Margaret, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph b. Martin ; they have one daughter, Elizabeth Jane, born October 18, 1900. 4. John B., born January 5, 1877, married in 1898 Lydia Baer, and they have a son, Clarence Hayden ; 5. Cyrus H., and 6. Margaret B. (twins) born 1881. Cyrus H. married, in 1900, Mary Wingert, and they have one daughter, Louisa. Margaret married, in 1900, William K. Mayers, and they are the parents of three children living : Margaurite, John Kirk and William Russell. One child died in infancy. 

Source Pages 57 thru 59 History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N. Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906 
Transcribed December 31, 1999 by Marilynn Wienke for the Westmoreland County History Project 
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

Westmoreland County Genealogy Project Notice:

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.