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Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ Benjamin F. Hayden ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Benjamin F. Hayden
LAST NAME: Hayden FIRST NAME: Benjamin MIDDLE NAME: F. NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE: Capt./Judge GENDER: M MILITARY: Mexican War
BORN: 11 Sept 1822 DIED: 28 Oct 1908 BURIED: 30 Oct 1908
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Lawyer; Judge; Legislator
BIRTH PLACE:  Logan Co., Kentucky
DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 

IOOF - Ben Hayden, age 86, born in Kentucky, died in Salem of old age.
Name of father William Hayden
Maiden name of mother Elizabeth McBride

1880 OR CENSUS - Ben Hayden, age 55, occupation lawyer, b. Kentucky, is enumerated with wife Zerilda, age 46, b. Missouri, along with Dora, age 26, Estelle, age 24, Wm., age 22, B. Nesmith, age 19, Geo. Clel, age 15, and Sam'l Lue, age 13, all born in Oregon.

BIOGRAPHICAL: 
1849 immigrant, pioneer lawyer & county judge, Territorial legislator and grandfather of Ben Maxwell, historian.
BIOGRAPHICAL: 
Benjamin Hayden, pioneer, lawyer, Indian War Veteran and Legislator, was born in Logan County, Kentucky, September 11, 1822. His youth was spent in the State of Illinois, but in early manhood he removed to the State of Missouri, remaining there until the "gold excitement" of 1849, when he went to California. The following year he returned to Missouri, where he married Zerelda Gibson. They came to Oregon in 1852, taking a donation land claim in Polk Couthy Hills, near Eola, which property is still in possission of his family. 
At the outbreak of the Indian War of 1855-56, Mr. Hayden aided in raising a company and served as Captain until the close of the campaign. He early took up the practice of law and became one of the most effective trial lawyers in the Willamette Valley. His ability as a public speaker made him not only a successful advocate but won him prominence in politics. He represented Polk County at several sessions of the Legislature and served as Speaker of the House in 1870. 
Aggressiveness was one of his chief charateristics and whether laboring on his farm, trying a case in court, conducting a political campaign, or servbing in the Legislative halls, he worked hard for what he desired to accomplish. He was a staunch Democrat and during his years of activity was prominent in the councils of the party. Mr. Hayden died on October 29, 1908. 
HISTORY OF BENCH AND BAR IN OREGON, pp. 268-269.
NOTE - The picture of Benjamin Hayden was taken from the biographical sketch in HHB, pg 268

DEATH CERTIFICATE: 

OSBH DC (Marion County 1908) #8114 - Benjamin Hayden, male, married, b. Kentucky, d. 29 Oct 1908 at the age of 86, name of father William Hayden (b. Virginia), maiden name of mother Elizabeth McBride (b. Virginia), occupation - lawyer, interment IOOF 30 Oct 1908, undertaker - A. M. Clough, informant Clell Hayden of Salem, Oregon.

OBITUARY: 

EVENTFUL CAREER BROUGHT TO END. 
Judge Benjamin F. Hayden dead at the age of 86 years. Crossing the plains in 1849 with John C. Fremont, settling in Oregon in 1852, and living a life of greatest activity, the career of Benjamin F. Hayden, peacefully closed yesterday morning at 8:30 o’clock at the home, 547 North Fifteenth street. 
Mr. Hayden was 86 years of age. From earliest manhood Mr. Hayden was busy with events of life which shaped themselves rapidly into a most active career and one which will be long remembered in the northwest. He was the first county judge of Polk county when that section embraced a quarter of the state. In the legal profession he stood high. He was a man of great accuracy, inexhaustible powers, and was eloquent, witty and original and his entire disposition made him most loveable. 
Mr. Hayden was a Democrat and always interested himself in the affairs of the state. He is survived by two sons, William and Clell and a daughter Estella. The funeral will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon from the residence, the Rev. Barr G. Lee, officiating. Burial will be at Rural cemetery. Friends are requested not to bring flowers. 
Daily Oregon Statesman 30 Oct 1908 1:4. 

BODY OF BENJAMIN HAYDEN AT REST. 
Pioneer and Lawyer Buried Yesterday -- Notables attend Last Rites. Hon. Benjamin Hayden, pioneer lawyer, Indian war veteran and legislator was laid to rest at the Rural cemetery yesterday afternoon, the obsequies being attended by many prominent men, including Governor Chamberlain and former Governor Lord. 
The funeral was held from the home, 547 North Fifteenth street. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Barr G. Lee, of the Episcopal church. Though he had been failing in strength for a year, Mr. Hayden retained his health until about a week ago, when be began to sink rapidly. Benjamin Hayden was born in Kentucky 86 years ago, spent his youth in Illinois, removed in early manhood to Missouri and went to California during the gold excitement of 1849. The next year he returned to Missouri, where he married Zeralda Gibson, who survives him. 
They came to Oregon in 1852, taking a donation land claim in the Polk county hills, near Eola, which property the family still owns. At the outbreak of the Indian war of ’55 and ’56, Hayden aided in raising a company and served as captain until the close of the campaign. He early took up the practice of law and became one of the most effective trial lawyers in the Willamette valley. His ability as a public speaker made him not only a successful advocate, but won him prominence in politics. He represented Polk county at several sessions of the legislature and served as speaker of the house in 1870. Aggressiveness was one of his chief characteristics and whether laboring on his farm, trying a case in court, conducting a political campaign or serving in the legislative halls, Ben Hayden worked hard for what he desired to accomplish. He was a staunch Democrat and during his years of activity was prominent in the counsels of the party. Besides a widow, he leaves three children, William, McClellan, and Estelle, all residents of Salem. He was the father of Samuel Hayden, deceased, who served three terms as district attorney in this district. 
Daily Oregon Statesman 31 Oct 1908 2:5.

INSCRIPTION: 

Capt. 
Benj. 
Hayden 
Co. G 
1 Ore. Mtd. 
Inf. 
Mex. War 

SOURCES: 

IOOF Register of Burials 
OSBH DC (Marion County 1908) #8114
Saucy  Survey & Photographs
1880 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., E. Salem, ED 80, pg 39C) 
DOS 30 Oct 1908 1:4 
OS 21 Oct 1908 2:5
HBB pg 268-269 (portrait) S&H pg 51

CONTACTS: 
LOT: 939 SPACE: 1 SW LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE: 
IMAGES:
           
 
 

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