LABAN HAYWARD BANISTER BARCLAY BRADISH BROWN COOK HATTERY MOORE Laban HAYWARD, who is now living retired in Aurora, but who for over 40 years was one of the active, enterprising and representative business men of the city, dates his residence in the state since 1849, and in Aurora, Kane co. since 1865. The Hayward family are of English descent, the first of the name settling in Vermont at a very early day. In that state Asa HAYWARD was born in 1784, and died in 1868. His son, Willard HAYWARD was born in Rutland Co. Vermont in 1808. He was there reared and married Betsy BRADISH, the youngest of a family of 8 children of Jonas M. BRADISH, who was also a pioneer of Vermont. After his marriage, Willard engaged in farming in Rutland co. where he remained until 1849, and then moved west by way of the Erie canal and the lakes to Chicago where he secured teams to haul his family and personal effects to Will Co. Ill. He there purchased 160 acres of land, and commenced the improvement of the place. For 13 yrs he resided there, engaged in agricultural pursuits, then moved to Aurora and purchased residence property, where his death occured in 1880 at the age of 72 yrs. His good wife survived him for over 11 yrs being called to her reward in 1892. Their remains lie buried in Spring Lake Cem. where a substantial monument marks their last resting place. They were the parents of 2 sons and a duaghter: Henry who for some years was an invalid, died in 1855; Mary E. who married Wm. HATTERY who is a business man residing in Waterloo, Iowa; and Laban the younger son completes the family. Laban HAYWARD was born in Rutland co. Vermont Aug 21, 1836, and was a lad of 13 yrs when he came with the family to Will Co. Ill. He there grew to manhood and assisted in the cultivation of the family farm. His educational advantages were limited, but he acquired sufficient knowledge to pass an examination and for 2 winters engaged in teaching in the public schools. He has been twice maried, his first union being with Miss Emerancy MOORE, a native of NY where she was reared and educated, and who for some time was a teacher in the public schools. The wedding took place Aug. 19, 1858. On the 30th of Nov 1861, she was called to her final rest, leaving 2 children - Ada, wife of James A. COOK of Waterloo, Iowa, and Eva, wife of Mr. BANISTER of near Dwight, Ill. Mr. HAYWARDs second marriage was in Will Co., Sept. 24, 1863,when he wedded Elizabeth BARCLAY, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born Nov. 18, 1841, and who came with her father James BARCLAY, to this country in 1857. Her father was for years a prominent farmer in Will Co., but now resides in Aurora, living a retired life. By this union were 6 children of whom one is deceased, Clara, who died in childhood. The living are: Mary, wife of S.D.BROWN who holds a position with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad; Martha formerly a teacher in the Aurora Public schools residing at home; George, Arthur and Charles, who succeeded their father in the grocery business at the old stand. After his first marriage, Mr. HAYWARD took charge of the old homestead and for 9 yrs was there engaged in farming. He then moved to Aurora and engaged in the butchering business on the east side. Three years later he built a business house on Broadway, and continued in the meat business, later adding a stock of groceries. For five years he engaged in meat packing, in connection with his other lines of trade, also in buying and handling fruit and vegtables. Until Jan 1898, he was actively engaged in business,when he was succeeded by his sons. Success crowned his efforts in every respect, his trade at all times being quite extensive, due in a great measure to his public spirit and the determination to succeed. He is now a stock holder and for several yrs was a director in the First National Bank of Aurora. He is also a stockholder in the Home Building and Loan Association, the Aurora National Loan Association and the Ice Co. In many of the business enterprises of Aurora in the past 30 yrs, he has lent a helping hand. The first ballot cast by Mr. HAYWARD for president was in 1860 and he voted for Abraham Lincoln. From that time to the present, he has been an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and has voted for each of the presidential nominees. For 2 yrs, he served as alderman of his ward, during which time he was on several important committees, including the railroad committee, that secured the building of the viaduct over the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad. In his second year he was chairman of the committee on sewers, and was instrumental in having built the large sewer on the east side. He has ever been a friend of education and the public schools, and has given earnest support to every effort calculated to advance the school interest. While not a member of any church, he has assisted in the erection of several of the church buildings in the city, and has contributed of his means to other benevolent purposes. Mrs. HAWARD is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of the Blue lodge and chapter, and has represented the former several times in the grand lodge of the state. Mr. HAYWARD has been a resident of Northern Illinois for 49 yrs, almost half a century. For 33 years he has resided in Aurora. He has witnessed the growth and development of this part of the state, seen it change from a wilderness, and in its transformation has borne no inconsiderable part. Identified with the institutions of the city, and the prosperity of its people, he is numbered among the honored old settlers of Kane Co. He is a man of good business ability, of exemplary habits, of tried integrity and worth, and he and his most estimable wife and family are esteemed and respected by all, and their many friends will be pleased to read this short sketch in the Biographical Record of Kane Co. Biographical Record of Kane Co. Illinois S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Chicago Ill. 1898 page 368 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.