HAYES, Harry C. 1872-1923

HAYES, ECKERT, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/11/2016 at 11:12:14

Harry C. Hayes

This community was greatly surprised when a message was received here the first of the week that Harry C. Hayes had passed away at Omaha, Neb., last Sunday.

The remains arrived here Tuesday afternoon accompanied by Mrs. Hayes and other relatives and brief funeral services were held from the former home of Mrs. Hayes, at which time the following obituary was read of the life of Mr. Hayes by Rev. Geo. Woodall:

Harry C. Hayes was born in Galena, Ill., June 30th, 1872, and died at Omaha, Neb., March 25th, 1923, aged 50 years, 8 months and 25 days.

His mother died when he was three years of age. His father moved to Grundy Center where he and the young son lived at the hotel. The father practiced law in Grundy Center until he was called to a professorship in the law school of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, in which capacity he continued until retired by age.

In Grundy Center Harry was the schoolmate of Edna Williams, his present wife. After leaving the public schools in Grundy Center he studied law in the state University at Iowa City and while living there married Miss Kate Eckert. They moved to Boone county, Nebraska, where they lived on a farm.

Besides his widow he leaves five daughters, Frances, Jessie, Ann, Margaret, and Effie; an aged father, a step-mother, two half-sisters, a half-brother, and six grandchildren.

In 1913 the family moved to Albion, Nebr., for the purpose of educating the children, whose mother died in 1906.

For several years the deceased was in the real estate business, later engaging in a garage business in which he continued until one year ago.

In January, 1917, he married his former schoolmate, Miss Edna Williams, taking his bride to the family home in Albion, Nebr., where they have lived since.

Mr. Hayes had not been well since the first week in January, and presumably much longer, for he was not a man who complained of his ailments.

He was passionately fond of his grandchildren, one of whom died a few weeks ago, and at the funeral Mr. Hayes manifested great interest in the sermon.

He was converted while living in Grundy Center. He was a Sunday School scholar in the class of Miss Lavinia Williams, a sister of Mrs. Edna Hayes.

A series of revival meetings was held lately in the Methodist church of Albion, Nebr., and so great was his interest in the revival that he missed but two of the meetings and these because of illness.

His condition grew worse and there seemed to be no medical skill that could stay the hand of the malady. His wife took him to Omaha where the best of scientific skill was summoned, but to no avail, and it soon became apparent that he must go to the "great beyond."

Before going to the hospital the pastor of the Methodist church made frequent visits to his bedside and on one occasion, just before prayer he said, "I am praying much more than people may give me credit for."

Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church at Albion, Neb., on Monday, March 26th, and the remains were brought to Grundy Center where short services were held at the home of Mrs. W. C. Williams Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. Hayes was a big-hearted, tender-hearted man and generous to a fault. He was a great reader, had a brilliant mind and hated deceit and sham. He was a devoted father, and his wife has a wonderful memory of a wonderful husband.

Interment was made in Fairview Cemetery Wednesday, March 28th, the services being in charge of the Rev. George Woodall, pastor of the Methodist Church here.

The following relatives from a distance attended the funeral: Mrs. Samuel Hayes, Iowa City; Robt Hayes, Omaha, Neb., Miss Helen Hayes, Topeka, Kan.; Mrs. Ann Hayes-Stalker, Albion, Nebr.; Miss Effie Hayes, Albion, Nebr.; Mrs. Arthur Richards and daughter, Frances, Clarion, Iowa; William Raymond, Oklahoma City, Okla.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 29 March 1923, pg 1, 4