Clara Smith Hayden
(Mrs. Sydney O. Hayden)
LOWELL RESIDENT OVER 50 YEARS
A resident of Lake county for more than 70 years, Clara Smith Hayden celebrated her 89th birthday November 13. Born the daughter of James and Elvina Smith, she moved to Indiana from Yellowhead township, Kankakee county, Illinois, when she was about 15 years old. She and a brother in Michigan City, now 94 years old, are the only ones remaining of a family of nine girls and two boys.In 1884, when she was 18 years old, Clara married Sydney O. Hayden and moved to a West Creek township farm, which was located "right on the state line," she recalls. They owned four different grain farms during their life together, two of them located east of Lowell in Cedar Creek and one east of Merrillville.
When the Haydens retired from farming they bought a home in Lowell and lived there about 20 years. Sydney passed away in 1943 and Clara stayed on in Lowell for five years after his death.
They had two sons -- Elton, who died when he was 19, and Walter, who now lives in Pasadena, California. Seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and a great great grandchild complete her family.
Clara's favorite pastime is crocheting; she also likes to knit and read. At one time she belonged to the Lowell Woman's club, Home Economics club, Ladies' Aid and Christian church in Lowell. She also worked two years at the Lowell library.
The Hilltop nursing home has been Mrs. Hayden's home for a little over a year now and she says she enjoys it there very much.
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