Walter I. Hayes

HAYES, SELDEN, COAN

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 3/30/2003 at 14:48:01

Clinton County History 1879 Walter I. Hayes, Judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Iowa; is a native of Marshall, Mich., and was born Dec. 9, 1841, and is the son of Dr. Andrew L. and Clarissa Selden Hayes; he was brought up and attended school there, and, at the age of 19 years, he entered the law office of Hughes & Woolley, at Marshall, and commenced reading law. He subsequently graduated at the Law School of Ann Arbor, Mich., and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1863; the following year, he became a member of the firm of his late preceptors, which was changed to Hughes, Woolley & Hayes. In 1866, being offered a desirable partnership by Gen. N.B. Baker, late Adjutant General of Iowa, he removed to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in the practice of law, the firm being Baker & Hayes; this partnership continued until Gen. Baker removed permanently to Des Moines; he remained without a partner until 1872, when he became associated with Hon. George B. Young, then Circuit Judge, which position he resigned in order to resume his practice; the firm of Hays & Young continued until August, 1875, when, upon the recommendation of the bar of the Seventh Judicial District, he was appointed by Gov. Carpenter to complete the unexpired term of Judge Brannan, resigned, and, in October following, was elected to the same position by the people, without opposition, and since then has filled this honored position. He was United States Commissioner for the Eastern District of Michigan, from 186 until coming to Iowa, and was City Attorney for his native city in 1865. He was appointed United States Commissioner for Iowa in 1867, and held the office until he went upon the bench. He was elected City Attorney of Clinton in 1869, and was City Solicitor in 1870 and 1871, and again in 1875. He is a stockholder and also a Director in the Clinton National Bank. On the 28th of June, 1865, Judge Hayes was united in marriage with Miss Frances L., daughter of William F. Coan, Esq., President of the Clinton National Bank; they have no children.