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GEORGE HAYES 1840-1910

George Hayes was born in February 1840 in Gloucester, England.  He was the great grandson of William HAY, a stone mason who married at Newent in Gloucestershire in 1780.  The Hayes family were building houses in the city of Gloucester for most of the 19^th century.  George's parents were Joseph Hayes and Eliza Hawkins and most of his brothers spent some time working in the family business.   

In February 1861 George Hayes married his second cousin, Caroline Hayes of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.  She was the daughter of Charles Hayes and Eliza WILKS.    George and Caroline's first child, George Alfred Amos was born in Gloucester in July 1862 and a daughter, Carrie Maria, was born in 1863.   

George and Caroline emigrated to America in 1865.  At least three more children were born in New York.  They were Estelle A , Minnie and Eleanor E .  (In the US censuses they are referred to as Annie, Minnie and Lizzie).

George seems to have been very successful in business and in 1876 he had a building at the US Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia demonstrating his skylights and ventilators which would admit air but keep out dust and insects.

 George must have been delighted by his success at the exhibition but Caroline was not well and her health declined over the following year.  She died of TB at their home, 71, 8^th Avenue, New York in July 1877.  She was 38 years old and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.

 George and family continued to live at the same address until about1884.  Their home was over the shop.  The building was also George's business address and was used for the manufacture of skylights and other parts for buildings. The name Hayes still clearly visible on the building.  By 1885 the family had moved to other accommodation and the whole of 71 8^th avenue was used for the business. 

In 1882 George Alfred Hayes, son of George and Caroline married Kate Edna WHEELER who had been born in Detroit, Michigan.  He worked with his father in the skylights business at least from 1885-1905.

In about 1884 George Hayes married for the second time.  His new wife was Belle, a  34 year American born in New York.  They had no children. 

George joined the Freemasons in 1869.  He was a member of Livingston Lodge in New York.

He held many important offices including Grand Treasurer and in 1897 he was made a Life Member of Grand Lodge.

In 1898 George and Belle retired to 61, Claremont Avenue, Mount Vernon New York. This was an elegant large residence and is still standing, being one of the oldest houses in the district.  George's three younger daughters were still unmarried and lived with them.

George died at his home in Mount Vernon on 22 May 1910. 

 The firm continued at 71, 8^th Avenue, New York under the name George Hayes Co. until at least 1913.   The business was mentioned many times in the journal, The Manufacturer and Builder, and this can be examined on-line at The Cornell University Prototype Digital Library

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