HAY, Ruben Wesley - 1914

HAY, HUTTELL, DE COU, FLINT, DICKEY, RAMSDEN, WILLIAMS, WHITLATCH

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/7/2009 at 01:44:56

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

RUBEN WESLEY HAY.

Throughout the period of his residence in Cherokee, Ruben Wesley Hay was connected with railroad interests, being section foreman for the Illinois Central. His fidelity and capability gained for him the confidence of those whom he represented, while his social qualities won for him many friends in the city in which he made his home. He was born in Jones county, Iowa, April 30, 1851, his parents being Ruben and Rebecca (Huttell) Hay. The fathers birth occurred in Page county, Virginia, September 17, 1817, and the mother was born in the same state January 19, 1821. They were married, however, in Vigo county, Indiana, August 13, 1839. The father is a wagon maker by trade and on removing to Iowa turned his attention to farming in Jones county, being for a long period identified with agricultural pursuits in this state. He is now living in Kansas City, Kansas, but his wife passed away in Linn county, Iowa, August 17, 1885. His political support is given to the republican party and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the United Brethren church. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children: John A., Henry H. and Sarah, all. now deceased; Harvey W., living in Burlington, Kansas; Harrison, Ruben W., Eliza M., Oterbine and Permelia, all of whom have passed away; Mrs. Emma De Cou, of Oklahoma City; Elmer, living in Kansas City, Kansas, and Elva, deceased.

After acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of Jones county, Iowa, Ruben W. Hay attended Western College near Cedar Rapids and thus was well equipped for lifes practical duties by liberal educational advantages. He began farming in Johnson county, Iowa, and afterward went to Barnum, Iowa, where he lived for seven years and subsequently came to Cherokee and was made section foreman for the Illinois Central Railroad, occupying that position until his death, which occurred on the 6th of December, 1910.

On the 3ist of December, 1872, Mr. Hay was married to Miss Euceba Flint, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Curtis (Dickey) Flint of Johnson county, Iowa. Her father, who was a native of New Hampshire, became a physician. He was born February 14, 1814, and lived for a number of years in New England, but subsequently established his home in Johnson county, Iowa. After removing to Johnson county he was bedfast with inflammatory rheumatism for thirtytwo years or until his death on the 25th of July, 1887. His wife, who was born in Monroe. Maine, September 9, 1817, died in Cherokee on the 27th of February, 1906. Both lived, therefore, to an advanced age. They were consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings proved a guiding force in their lives. Their daughter, Mrs. Hay, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, August 2, 1855. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children: Eleanor A., who is the wife of Fred Ramsden of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and has three children, Lawrence, May and Opal; Eldora, who was a twin to Eleanor and is now deceased; Etta, who is the wife of Harry Williams of Cherokee and has five children, Lloyd, Wesley, Raymond, Mabel and Carlton; Albert, deceased; George, at home; Joseph W., who has also passed away; Cecil, the wife of Henry Whitlatch of Cherokee; and Muriel, deceased.

In politics Mr. Hay was a republican and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day but did not seek nor desire office. He held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Yeomen and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. High principles of manhood actuated him in all of his lifes relations and his genuine worth of character gained for him the warm regard, goodwill and respect of those who knew him. His death was indeed a deep blow to the family, for he was a devoted husband and father.