William N. Hayden (1855-1917)

Obituary

Emerson has well said that the history of a nation is best told by reciting the virtues we find in its most prominent men. William N. Hayden was a man of sterling worth and character. He was a native of Lake county and was born May 24, 1855, and peacefully went to his long home April 6, 1917, aged 61 years, 10 months and 16 days.

He was the youngest of fourteen children born to his father's two marriages, being the only son and child of the second marriage. Mr. Hayden was accustomed to pioneer life with its numerous hardships and privations. He was educated in the public schools and took an active interest in the improvement of the county. Reared on the farm and very close to mother nature, he early acquired a love for farming.

On August 21, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Edmonds, to which union were born two children, Jodie N. and Edna S.

He and his good wife began life with little capital but with high hopes and indomitable courage, which are of inestimable worth to the community. They established a home, which has been known for its hospitality and generosity. His fellowmen intrusted him with their confidence, which he never betrayed. Twice they honored him with public office; he served four years as a trustee of West Creek township and at the time he was taken ill he held the office of Township assessor.

On September 15, 1890, under the ministry of the late Rev. J.J. Thompson, he gave his heart to God and united with the Lowell M.E. church. He was a faithful and devoted member, interested in all things which were for the uplift of man. He was a kind and loving husband and father, a helpful neighbor, a useful citizen.

He is survived by a faithful wife, a son, a daughter; one half-sister, Mrs. Jackson Smith, of Lowell; two half-brothers, Cyrus Hayden, Lowell, and Ransom Kile, of Plainsview, Nebr.; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday at 2 p.m., there being a large attendance of relatives and friends. Rev. V.B. Servies preached the funeral sermon. After the sermon the Modern Woodmen, of which the deceased was a charter member of Lowell camp, performed their ritualistic ceremony. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery. Undertaker John Castle had charge of the burial service. The following nephews acted as pall bearers: Jesse Hayden, Grant Hayden, Cyrus Hayden, Merritt Hayden, Lewellyn Smith and C.T. Bailey. The following people from out of town attended the funeral:

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Wheaton, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Hayden, Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Hayden, Mrs. and Mrs. Sidney Hayden, Mr. and Mrs. Bryon Chipman, Mrs. Louis Seims, Cloa Ross and daughter, Allen Hoshaw, Bert D. Hayden, Harry Nicholson, of Crown Point, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. McKnight, Mrs. Ruth Baker, Mrs. Josephine Edmonds, of Leroy, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Einspahr, Hammond, Ind.; George Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Sadouis, Urbana, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Pemble, Charley Hayden , Hiram Hayden, Mr. and Mrs. Cass Hayden, of Grant Park, Ill.; Clarence Hayden, Momence, Ill.; Will Beeman, Monticello, Ind.; Charles Gobdel, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pulver, Chicago, Ill.; Lester Hayden, Topeka, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Coup, Hamlet, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Dewey, Whiting, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Walton Smith, St. Joseph, Mich.