The Hayes Family History Site

I know there are many relatives who served our country that are not yet on this list. By next year, I hope that I can find you and add you to our little tribute.

From Philip Sr., Colleen, Philip Jr. and Kevin…. THANK YOU!

On Veteran’s Day we honor Soldiers who protect our nation. For their service as our warriors, They deserve our admiration. Some of them were drafted; Some were volunteers; For some it was just yesterday; For some it’s been many years; In the jungle or the desert, On land or on the sea, They did whatever was assigned To produce a victory. Some came back; some didn’t. They defended us everywhere. Some saw combat; some rode a desk; All of them did their share. No matter what the duty, For low pay and little glory, These soldiers gave up normal lives, For duties mundane and gory. Let every veteran be honored; Don’t let politics get in the way. Without them, freedom would have died; What they did, we can’t repay. We owe so much to them, Who kept us safe from terror, So when we see a uniform, Let’s say “thank you” to every wearer. By Joanna Fuchs

Private Ralph Yerks b. 1894 d.1918 World War I, US Army, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division Killed in Action and is buried in Thiaucourt, France at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery. Genealogy Note: Colleens Great Uncle Second Lieutenant Harry W. Lewis b.1892 d.1972 World War I, American Expeditionary Forces Served on the United States Expeditionary Force in France. Stay an extra year after the Armistice was signed and played tennis for the AEF team assigned to rebuild relations in war torn Europe. Genealogy Note: My Grandfather James Tierney b. 1894 d.1931 World War I, American Expeditionary Forces Company M, 307 Infantry James served in France and saw many friends die in Europe. We have a letter from him, to his brother Frank, while in France. Genealogy Note: My Great Uncle Lloyd Lewis b.1928  d. 2000 Korean War Conflict Served in a “secondary” MASH unit in Japan.� Genealogy Note: My Uncle Colonel Robert E. Dunn, US Army b. 1892 d. 1974 Served in both World War I and World War II. In WWII Colonel Dunn lead a black Division of Engineers on Okinawa. Genealogy Note: Husband to Grace Elinor Tierney, my Great Aunt. James Leroy Yerks III b. 1938 Non-Wartime Served in the U.S. Navy Genealogy Note: Colleen’s Father. William B. Yerks b. 1891 d. 1960 World War I William fought in World War I and survived a Mustard Gas attack, only to die of complications of it some years later. Genealogy Note: Colleens Great Uncle and brother of Private Ralph Yerks. Jonathan J. Foley b. 1896 d. 967 Genealogy Note: Husband of Agnes Beattie, my Great Aunt. Brian Hogan Gulf War 1990 -1991 Genealogy Note: Husband to my cousin, Patty Brady Hogan. John W. Dunn b. 1930 d. 2000 USAF Active Duty 1948-1953 Korea 1950-1952 USAF AIR Guard – Berlin Wall Conflict 1961-1962 Retired USCG reserves 1979 Genealogy Note: Son of Edna V. Hone, a distant cousin to Colleen. John E Dunn 1985-1990, USAF Active Duty Genealogy Note: Another distant cousin to Colleen. William Sheehan Fred Barnes George Condos Nick Condos

Jeanne T. Lewis started to play the piano at age 7 in 1932. The base of what she learned and what she continues to pass on today to her students, comes from her first music teacher, Mrs. Charlotte Brush. Mrs. Brush had a little studio in a house located on Larchmont Avenue in Larchmont, New York, where she would go to for regular lessons right up to the time she entered high school. She then picked up lessons with Mrs. Elizabeth Read of New Rochelle. Mrs. Read taught her for several years and helped prepare her for her College. She also experienced “duo” piano playing with Mrs. Brush’s daughter, Virginia under Mrs. Read’s tutorage.

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Police Officer Patrick S. Hanley, the son Ellen Hayes and Daniel Hanley and a New York City Patrolman for almost 25 years was shot in the back while trying to apprehend a man who had “shot another brother officer just moments before”.

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This is the story of how the “other” Hayes’ arrived in the United States.  The other Hayes’ meaning on the Lewis side.  Yes, I have Hayes’ from both my mother and father.  The information is compiled from many sources, including:

• Census Records: 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.
• A letter From Grace Lewis telling the story of the family.
• A bio of Edward Hayes, found in an “About Erie County” PDF.
• Information gathered by my Uncle Lloyd

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While doing some casual family genealogy research using Google’s new Newspaper Archives, I stumbeled accross one of the greatest finds yet….  A New York Times obituary with a picture of New York City Police Captain Frank A. Tierney.  He was 68 year old when he died of heart disease in Brooklyn, New York.  Frank was the brother of my Great Grandfather James F Tierney. My great Uncle  actually was a Police Inspector before being demoted to Captain just before his retirement in 1928.

He spent 32 years on the Police Force, including several years in Chinatown, heading up the move against the gangs there.  Unfortunately, he encountered some political trouble in 1918  with Police Commissioner Enright who took the opportunity to demote him.  It seems that although he was in and out of some minor trouble through his career (see the attached articles), he was generally well respected and liked.  He retired as a Captain on December 31, 1928, ending his career managing the Miller Avenue Precinct in Brooklyn.

He was survived by his three sons; John E, Frank A. Jr. and Raymond A Tierney (who later became a New York City Magistrate in 1956.)

The Obituary and Photo

• 1936: F.A. Tierney Dies; Ex-Police Captain

• 1902: Sergeant Tierney Fined
• 1913: Riley In Chinatown To Stop Gambeling
• 1918: Inspector Tierney Demoted
• 1918: F.A. Tierney Has Christmas Cheer
• 1919: Police Department Transfers
• 1922: Roosevelt Police Dinner

This is the story of Ellen Hayes Hanley, who came to America  from Ireland with her three children in 1870.  Ellen Hayes was apparently married to Daniel Hanley in Ireland, but did not come to America with him. Ellen and Daniel  had three children; Catherine/Kate (my great grandmother), William and Patrick.  I cannot yet determine what happened to Daniel.  It could be that he died or it could be that she took the children and left him.  Irish ancestry records are difficult to find and interpret so this information will have to wait for another day.  According to my Uncles research though, Daniel was the son of Morris Hanley and Catherine Fitzgerald.  Ellen Hayes was the daughter of Patrick Hayes and Johanna Cowie.

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After a series of sudden ideas and strange coincidences, the next generation of Yerks family unfolded before me within hours.  This generation has been troubling me for a long time, as I was unable to find the parents of George Oakley Yerks as listed on his death certificate.  I think the officials may have guessed and filled in some names because they did not know who the parents really were.  But after some careful detective work, I am extremely comfortable stating that the next Yerks Generation mystery has been solved!  To solve this mystery, I worked backwards.  But for the sake of clarity, I’ll tell the story moving forward.

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Ralph Yerks (born April 4, 1894 in Bedford Hills, New York) served and died for his country in World War I, yet we cannot find a memorial in Westchester County that recognizes him.

Ralph Yerks, Private, U.S. Army

9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division

Entered the Service from: New York
Died: September 13, 1918
Buried at: Plot C Row 8 Grave 36
St. Mihiel American Cemetery
Thiaucourt, France

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