Cyrus Hayden (1844-1923)

Sunday, August 30th, was chosen instead of the first day of September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cyrus Hayden and wife. Their children planned a surprise on them and all came marching in on them about 10 a.m. It was surely a surprise, but enjoyed by all. Everything in the line of good things to eat were brought in and placed on the table at 12 o'clock. One would of thought they meant to feed an army of half starved soldiers. The children, together with Walter Cleaver, presented their father with a fine watch chain and mother with a ring, thus showing their affection for father and mother. The day was spent in talking over old times, how different from 50 years ago. On that first day of September, 1864, they drove from Sherburnville to Kankakee, Ill., where they were married, a distance of about 22 miles in an old fashioned cracky wagon and a team of horses. Those days are gone. Automobiles take their place now, which would make the trip a few minutes sooner. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Eisnpahr, Mr. and Mrs. Thuel Hayden and son, Hugh, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Gorball and children, Hattie, Gladys and Robert, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sargent, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Cleaver, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cleaver, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Smith, Mrs. Rebecca Martin, Jasper Cleaver, Miss Helen Lewis and Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Hayden.

Cyrus Hayden was born in West Creek township, Lake county, Indiana, September 21st, 1844, and passed away at his home Sunday morning, July 15th, 1923, having reached the ripe age of 78 years, nine months and 24 days. He was the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children, nine sons and five daughters. He was the son of Nehemiah and Harriet Kitchel Hayden, pioneers of West Creek township and founders of the Hayden family in this community.

All that medical skill and a loving wife and mother could do was done, but of no avail, for the Death Angel had called. Throughout all of his sickness his thoughts were ever of mother and the children.

Cyrus Hayden and Caroline Cleaver were united in marriage Sept. 1st, 1864. Three days later he was mustered into the military service of his country as a volunteer in Co. K. 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served his country in the closing days of the Civil war, receiving an honorable discharge June 27th, 1865.

Two sons and three daughters were born to this marriage: Loren W., and Flora died in childhood; Mrs. Myrtha Einspahr, Thuel A. Hayden and Mrs. Mamie Gorball, with their families, containing five grandchildren, mourn the departure of a loving father and husband.

For nearly fifty years he and his good wife traveled life's highway together in the affection of their children and neighbors. With the exception of two years, his entire life was lived in West Creek township. He lived an upright honest life, respected as a citizen of sterling worth. His word was as good as a bond, his character above reproach and the influence of his life will live though he is gone.

Funeral services were held at the West Creek church Thursday, July 17th, at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. C.A. Brown of the Lowell M.E. church, preaching the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the West Creek cemetery. Undertaker Wm. Sheets having charge of the burial services. The following Sons of Veterans of the Civil War, whose fathers were all in the same company and regiment with Mr. Hayden, acted as pall bearers: Walton Smith, Ernie VanAlstine, Willie Smith, Lewellyn Smith, Merrett Kelsey, and Lewis Childress. The following ladies acted as flower bearers: Lyrrell Hathaway, Grace Hathaway, Flaey Sanger and Neva Smith. The firing squad of the American Legion of Lowell was present and took part in the burial service.

Another, slightly different, obituary was in the same collection:

Cyrus Hayden was born in West Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana, September 21, 1844, and passed away at his home Sunday morning, July 15th, 1923, having reached the ripe age of 78 years, 9 months and 24 days. He was the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children, nine sons and five daughters. He was the son of Nehemiah and Harriet Kitchel Hayden, pioneers of West Creek Township and founders of the Hayden family in this community.

Cyrus Hayden and Caroline Cleaver were united in marriage September 1, 1864. Three days later he was mustered into the military service of his country as a volunteer in Co. K. 113th Ill. Vol. Inf. He served his country in the closing days of the Civil War, receiving an honorable discharge June 27th, 1865, not yet having reached the age of 21.

Two sons and three daughters were born of this marriage: Loren W. and Flora died in childhood. Mrs. Myrtle Einspahr, Thuel Hayden and Mamie Gorball, with their mother, mourn the departure of loving husband and father. For nearly fifty-nine years he and his good wife traveled life's highway together in the affection of their children and neighbors. With the exception of two years his entire life was lived in West Creek Township.

He lived an upright honest life, respected as a citizen of sterling worth. His word was as good as a bond, his character above reproach and the influence of his life will live though he is gone.

Funeral services were held at the West Creek church Tuesday at 2 p.m. Rev. C.A. Brown, pastor of the Lowell M.E. church, preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the West Creek cemetery. Undertaker William Sheets had charge of the burial services. The following acted as pall bearers: Oakes VanAlstine, Merrit Kelsey, Willie Smith, Lewis Childress, Ernie VanAlstine and Llewellyn Smith.