Page:One of a thousand.djvu/308

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Hayden.
Hayden.

House of Representatives 1880, '81, and '82, serving on some of the most important committees. In 1885 he was elected to represent the 5th congressional district in the 49th United States Congress, and received a very flattering re-election to the 50th, by a largely increased majority.

He has been president of the First National Bank of Woburn since 1874, and

Edward D. Hayden.
Edward D. Hayden.

Edward D. Hayden.

was one of the trustees of the Woburn public library—a library not only a matter of local pride to the citizens of Woburn, but one of the finest in the Commonwealth.


Hayden, Joseph Orlin, son of Elizur Boise and Lucinda E. (Simmons) Hayden, was born in Blandford, Hampden county, July 8, 1847.

His early education was obtained in the district school and academy at Granville, and the high school at Chicopee Falls.

With a preference for a business life, he first engaged as a dealer in real estate in Minnesota, which business he relinquished in 1869, and entered the newspaper business, as treasurer of the Times Publishing Company, of Boston, where he remained till 1876, when he purchased the "Somerville Journal," with which he has ever since been identified. The paper under his management has proved a literary as well as a financial success. Its influence is not confined to the city where it is published, but its bright and witty sayings have found their way into the acknowledged leaders in the newspaper world.

In 1883 he was placed, by the city council, upon the Mystic water board, and in 1884 became its president, which position he still retains. In 1885 he was elected treasurer of Middlesex county, and re-elected in 1888. He is a charter member, and since its organization has been a trustee of the Somerville Savings Bank. He is also a vice-president of the Suburban Press Association, and fills several positions of trust in various social and charitable societies.

Mr. Hayden was married in Somerville, August 18, 1870, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary E. (Cleves) Pond, of that city, where they reside.


Hayden, Lewis, was born a slave in Lexington, Ky. His age is not definitely settled, but he is believed to have been born in 1809. He was owned by a Presbyterian minister of the town, named Rev. Adam Rankin. When ten years of age he was sold for a pair of horses. He was afterwards owned by several prominent southern families, where he had opportunities for seeing many of the famous statesmen of that period, including Henry Clay. In 1844, while at work in the field one day, young Hayden resolved to make his escape from slavery. He told his wife of his intention. They immediately left for the North. They crossed the Ohio River at Ripley, September 10th.

They were supposed to be in attendance upon a couple matrimonially inclined, who were crossing into Ohio to consummate a clandestine marriage. On the Ohio side they were received by the agents of the "underground railway." They were pursued, and large sums of money were offered for their capture and return. In four months, however, they reached the Canadian border. Six months later Mr. Hayden returned to Detroit, Mich., and established a school and church for colored people. He then came to Boston, where he formed the acquaintance of John A. Andrew, then unknown to fame. Mr. Andrew took great interest in him, and they became firm friends. The colored men of ward 6 (now 9) were the first to plead with Mr. Andrew to allow his name to be used as candidate for the Legislature. To this he reluctantly consented. He had no idea of being elected, judging from the party make-up of this district. But his popularity as a man car-