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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 685
JAMES M. HAYDEN, whose patriotic service in the country's behalf, no less than a blameless life, have won for him the affectionate esteem of his fellow citizens, was born April 16, 1843, in Smithfield, Fayette Co., Penn., a son of Samuel and Nancy Ann HAYDEN, who were among the early pioneer families that came from Pennsylvania of whom Grant county has just reason to be proud.
Samuel HAYDEN was born Nov. 30, 1809, and migrated from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, settling at Lancaster, Grant county, in 1851, and finally with his family took up his residence in Beetown, with his son, James M. HAYDEN, where he entered into rest, Aug. 17, 1889. On Sept. 22, 1831, in Pennsylvania, he married Nancy Ann HALL, who was born May 10, 1811, and died Feb. 17, 1892. To their union eleven children were born, nine of whom grew to the age of maturity and of these six children are living; four brothers were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, Isaac, Henry J., James M. and Benjamin F. Of these, James M. was the youngest. The two elder lost their lives in the service, Isaac being a member of the 1st Wis. Vol Cav., and Henry J. of Company C, 25th Wis. V.I. Benjamin F. served for four years as a private in Company F, of the 7th Wis. V.I., and James M. enlisted in Company C, of the 25th Wis. V.I., Aug. 12, 1862. Service in the trenches before Vicksburg so impaired his health that he was removed, with the sick, to the hospital at Peducah, Ky., and subsequently sent home on sick leave. On recovering his health he rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg. He took part in the campaign against Atlanta, and in the march to the sea, crossing the Carolinas and Virginia on his way to Washington, where he took part in the grand review.
After being mustered out of the service at the close of the war he returned home to resume the life of quiet agricultural pursuits, in which he has been reared, and which had been interrupted by the upheaval of rebellion. His health, however, was badly impaired by his military life, and he finds himself disqualified for severe manual labor. He is a Republican in politics, and an active worker in his party's cause. During the twenty-second session of the State Legislature (in 1895) he served as engrossing clerk of the State Senate, and later held the important position of clerk, to the committee on claims. In July, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of Beetown, Wis., which position he now holds. On Jan. 28, 1872, Mr. HAYDEN was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia C. PRIDEAU, daughter of James and Mary PRIDEAU. To their union have been born one son and five daughters, Sherman P., Julia, Delia, Mabel, Myrtle and Jessie.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck