The traits of character that have
brought distinction and success to the representatives of the Hayes
family are a direct heritage from a long line of forefathers possessing
the sterling qualities of the Scotch race. The family genealogy
shows that many generations gone but some of the name crossed the
border from Scotland to the north of England, from which locality in
1683 George Hayes immigrated to Connecticut and became the founder of
the family in America. Numerous of his descendants bore a valiant
part in the events culminating in the independence of our nation, and
in every generation the family has evinced the utmost loyalty to the
country and high type of public spirit. Following the trend of
emigration westward, early in the nineteenth century the family became
established in what was then the frontier, beyond the pale of
civilization as it then existed.
During the residence of Anson and
Mary (Folsom)
Hayes at Waterloo,
Jefferson County, Wis., their son, Everis Anson Hayes, as born March
10, 1855. The various industries with which his father was
connected, that of railroad contractor, merchant and farmer, proved
sufficiently profitable to enable him to give his children the best
advantages of that day and locality, and the son, after having
completed the studies of the public school, matriculated at the
University of Wisconsin, from which he received the degree of Bachelor
of Laws in 1879 and that of bachelor of Letters in 1882. Previous
to receiving the latter degree he had made his home in Madison, Wis.,
where he was a member of the common council and practitioner of growing
prominence. During 1883 he removed to Ashland, Wis., and formed a
partnership with his brother,
Jay Orley Hayes,
and Col, John H. Knight. In the spring of that year their mother,
a remarkable woman who was away with her son, Jay O., for a needed
rest, heard a voice that said for her sons not to invest their money in
pine lands which might be destroyed by fire, that there was vast wealth
awaiting them in iron ore to the east. East of Ashland there was
an unbroken wilderness, and Jay O,. to whom his mother first
communicated, said that he knew of no mines in that direction, but he
had implicit faith in his mother. Again she heard the voice and
she said to her son, "You have a client- a Captain Moore- who
will understand and know about it. Going to Captain Moore, Mr.
Hayes inquired of him if he knew of any iron ore deposits to the east,
to which the Captain replied in the affirmative- that he had made
explorations there and that the indications had convinced him that
there were valuable deposits in that locality. Mr. Hayes then told
Captain Moore that if there was an opportunity to invest that he and
his brother, E. A. Hayes, would go with him.
A short time after this, Jay O. Hayes while out in the pine woods
became very ill and E. A. succeeded in getting him back to
Madison, Wis., to their mother's home, where in time he recovered,
through he doubtless would have passed away had it not been for her
care and help. During this time Captain Moore came to E. A.
Hayes' office in Ashland and said that he was going to organize an
exploration company in which the eight people comprising it would
have an equal interest, each paying $250, On inquiry Mr., Hayes
found that one share was held by a saloonkeeper and he asked Captain
Moore if he might not have that eighth instead, so that his mother
might have an interest, but the captain said that he would not go back
on his promise. When Mr. Hayes told his mother of his wish to
secure an interest for her and his inability to do so, she replied that
if it were intended that she should have it, that she would get
it. Some time after this the brothers met the saloonkeeper who
told them that their money was being wasted and used for other
purposes. Jay O., said to him, "If that is the case, I presume
that you would like to get out." To this the man agreed and Jay
O. paid him $250, thus securing an eighth interest for his
mother. The brothers later purchased another eighth, and still
later a fractional share more, so that they obtained a controlling
interest before any ore was discovered. Their mother assured them,
however, that out of it would come all the money they would ever need,
and this has indeed materialized, for it has brought untold wealth.
They sent men to explore the Gorbeic region in Michigan and in due time
iron ore was discovered and mines opened and successfully operated.
They took up their residence at Ironwood, Gogebic County, where they
made a fortune, and in 1887 they came to California, taking up their
residence in Santa Clara County, where they purchased a valuable ranch
property. However, the panic of '93 that brought disaster to many
men and corporations did not miss them and in 1895 they lost all they
had in California, including their ranch, besides being in debt.
By crooked manipulation their mines had also passed out of their
control, so in 1899 they returned to Gogebic County, Mich., and through
the aid of their old-time friend, Mr. Longyears, brought suit and the
mine was recovered. E. A Hayes assumed the superintendency and in two
years' time they had made such a success that they leased the mine,
receiving a payment of $900,000. The brothers then returned to
San Jose, looked up their old creditors and paid principal and interest
in full. One bank to which they were indebted had already charged
their account to profit and loss and as a result of the payment made by
the Hayes brothers they were able to declare a special dividend of
twenty per cent. Square and honest, although these notes and
obligations were legally outlawed, Messrs. Hayes did not look upon it
in that light, for the account were not outlawed as far as they were
concerned. The mines in Michigan are still yielding big returns
and they are now opening up a larger body of ore than they have ever
had before, so that their mother's prophecy is being fulfilled and the
mine continues to yield all the money they need.
No even in the business history of the brothers has surpassed in
importance their connection with local journalism. In 1900 they
acquired the San Jose Herald and the following year their journalistic
interests were greatly increased by the purchase of the San Jose
Mercury, the only morning paper in the city. Under their keen
business management, unsurpassed tact and sagacious judgment, these
papers have become the most important in the state, outside of San
Francisco and Los Angles, and wield an influence that is not limited to
the Santa Clara Valley, although their circulation is largest and
their power strongest in the home locality.
A stanch supporter of the Republican party, Mr. Hayes held the office
of chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Santa Clara County
, and frequently "stumped" the state in the interests of the
party. In the summer of 1904 he was nominated for Congress by the
Republican party, and in November of that year he was elected a member
of Congress and has been reelected to succeed himself six times.
While a member of the House, Mr. Hayes served his district, state and
nation with marked ability and tireless and unceasing in his
work. During the whole fourteen years of his service he was a
member of the banking anc currency committee and also of the
immigration and naturalization committee, the last six years being
ranking Republican member of both of the above committees and very
active in their measures. In the drawing up of the Federal
Reserve Act he was very active and had much to do with its formation,
as the draft was submitted to him each day for suggestions and some of
them were incorporated in the act. He was also a member of all
conference committees, and legislative representative of the House
forming these committees. In forming the immigration bill, now in
force, he represented the House on the conference committee of the
Senate and House. The most interesting piece of work in
connection with this legislative duties was the
reorganization of the rules of the House of Representatives which had
come into being during the long tenure of Joseph Cannon as
speaker. Mr. Hayes organized the fight against these iron-clad
cannon rules of the House and was Chairman of the insurgents and also
of the steering committee during the whole fight. He was ranking
Republican member of the sub-committee that drafted the Farm Loan Act
passed by the Sixty-fourth Congress, and had more to do with its
drafting than any other man in the country. He was also on the
sub-committee that drafted the Postal Savings law and next to Chairman
Glass was the most active in its formation and ultimate success.
Mr. Hayes' first marriage, in 1884, united him with Miss Nettie
Louisa Porter, who passed away in 1891. Two years later he was
united with Miss May Louis Bassett of Whitewater, Wis. Mr. Hayes
is the father of three children by his first marriage and three by his
second, as follows: Sibyl Charity of Edenvale; Anson Clinton of San
Francisco; Harold Cecil, in business in San Jose; Phyllis Celestia, the
wife of Capt. Robert A. Griffin of Carmel-by-the-Sea; Loy Bassett,
connected with the Mercury; Abraham Folsom, engaged in ranching in this
County.
Mr. Hayes is a prominent member of the Union League Club of San
Francisco, where he has a host of friends, and in addition to being
president of the Mercury Publishing Company and vice-president of the
Heraldy Publishing Company, he retains his inters in the Michigan
mines, holding the office of president of the Hayes Mining Company,
owners of the famous Ashland iron mines at Iron wood, Mich., and is
president of the Harmony Iron Company, which owns valuable iron
properties in Iron County. Diversified as are his interest, no
detail is neglected conducive to their success and no efforts are
spared to make each enterprise the peer of others in the same line of
activity. As land owner, mine owner, investor and publisher, he
finds an abundant field for his varied talents and an opportunity to
identify himself with men foremost in these industries. A man of
keep perception and intuition, he is a public benefactor and is ever
striving to benefit his fellow men. Kind, thoughtful, liberal and
openhearted, he is ever ready to assist those who have been less
fortunate in this world's good and is generous to a fault. Of
deep religious convictions and exemplifying a high standard of morals,
he govern his life by the principles of the Golden Rule.
Indissoluble associated with the history of San Jose and Santa Clara
County, his name will be perpetuated in many enterprises of permanent
value to the country's and city's progress.
Transcribed by Cdf, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 320