People
WILLIAM EBENEZER HAYES
HAYES, William Ebenezer, merchant and manufacturer, was born in Greene twp., Erie co., Pa., Apr. 22, 1846, son of Lester and Mary (Graham) Hayes. His earliest paternal American ancestor was George Hayes, who came from Scotland prior to 1680 and settled at Windsor, Conn. From him the line of descent is traced through his son Samuel and his wife Elizabeth Wilcoxson; their son Samuel and his wife Rosanna Holcombe, and their son and his wife Mary Camp, who were the grandparents of William Ebenezer Hayes. He attended the district school, and at the age of thirteen his father having been made an invalid, he conducted the paternal farm, meanwhile continuing his studies. He taught successfully and consecutively three terms of school, the first before attaining the age of twenty, and although the schoolhouse was fourteen miles away, he continued doing the chores on the farm. After reaching his majority he took active and earnest interest in civic and religious affairs. He served as assessor during 1869-72; as justice of the peace, 1874-79 and was thrice elected county auditor.
Source: Abstract from the book, Woman's Who's Who of America, edited by John William Leonard, published in 1914; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org), accessed 25 January 2026.