Isaac Israel Hayes M. D.
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 5 Mar 1832 - West Fallowfield, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Christening:
Death: 17 Dec 1881 - New York, New York, New York, USA
Burial:
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Benjamin Hayes
Mother: Ann Borton
Marriage This person had no known marriage and no known children
Notes
General:
The Arctic explorer
Per History of Chester County, Pennsylvania Page 594
"Benjamin Hayes, son of Isaac and Sarah, married, 11, 16, 1826, Ann, daughter of Jacob and Jemima (Kay) Borton, born 7, 25, 1800. They sold the homestead several years ago and removed to West Chester, where they now reside. Their children were Mary B. (married William L. Bailey), Jacob Borton (married Hannah Thompson), Isaac Israel (unmarried), Edward (married Mary I. Ellis), Benjamin (died in infancy), and Anne J. Hayes."
"The following sketch of Isaac I. Hayes was taken from Biographical Sketches of Members of Assembly of New York"
"Mr. Hayes was born in Chester Co., Pa, March 5, 1832; is of English and Irish extraction ; was educated in public and private schools, and in the academy at Westtown, Chester Co., Pa.; graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvaniain 1853 ; has been a farmer, teacher, physician, and Arctic explorer, and is at present an author and lecturer on literary and scientific subjects and travels."
"Soon after graduating he accompanied Dr. E. K. Kane on his Arctic expedition as surgeon, and was absent two years an a half. This was entirely a private and purely scientific enterprise, and the expedition was fitted out after three years' effort, partly at Dr. Hayes expense and partly at the expense of individuals and scientific societies. He also explored Greenland in 1869, and visited Iceland in 1874 to take part in the millenial celebration of the colonization of that country. In 1879 he published a paper, whcih attracted some attention, in relation to the injury being done to the harbor of New York by encroachments along the water-front. Other papers on hydrographic subjects, in connection with commerce, occasionally appeared from his pen. Besides numerous phamplets and papers on various scientific subjects, especially in relation to exploration and travel, he has written the following works: The Open Polar Sea, An Arctic Boat Journey, Cast Away in the Cold, and The Land of Desolation. In the Arctic regions he reached a point within 480 miles of the North Pole, nearer than any explorer had ever approached. For his discovery of the most northerly known land he received gold medals from the leading societies of the world, and numerous decorations. Early in the war of the Rebellion he entered the army as brigade surgeon. He afterwards became a surgeon of the United States Volunteers, with rank of major and brevet rank of colonel. He built and commanded until the close of the war the army hospital at West Philadelphia, Pa., capable of accommodating 4000 patients. It was the largest hospital ever built, and was famous for its good discipline and hygienic regulations. Since 1885 he has resided in New York City.
"Dr. Hayes was formerly a Whig, but since 1856 he has been a Republican. He took part in the convention which nominated Freemont, and subsequently rendered efficient service to that candidate on the stump. He also stumped this and other States in the last Presidential canvass. He was a member of Assembly in 1876, '77, '78, '79, serving the first year on Ways and Means, and Insurance, the second on Commerce and Navigation, Ways and Means, and Insurance, the third as chairman of Canals, and member of Ways and Means, Cities and Insurance, and the fourth as chairman of Cities, and as a member of Canals and Rules. He was elected in the fall of 1876 by a majority of 725, his plurality in 1875 being 1875, and a majority over two candidates of 1060, the largest ever given in the district, except under the Tweed régime, when fraudalent voting was charged. His majority in 1877 over John Carey (Tam. Dem.) was 716, which was 300 ahead of the State ticket."
Per Obituary in the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati, OH) 12/18/1881 Page 5
Death of Dr. Hayes.
Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.
NEW YOR, December 17 -- Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, the Arctic explorer, aged forty-nine, died this morning at No. 422 West Fifty-seventh street. He had been indisposed for several days, but thought he was nearly able to go out of doors yesterday. This morning he suddenly grew worse, and died at 11 o'clock. He had no relatives in the city, but was at the house of a former clerk at Albany, R. R. Fassett. No arrangements have been made for the funeral.
Per Obituary in the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati, OH) 12/20/1881 Page 4
DR ISAAC I. HAYES, ARCTIC EXPLORER
Hardly any more romantic career is upon record that thay of Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, formerly Arctic explorer and physician, latterly politician, legislator and lecturer. Twice he penetrated into the Arctic seas, first as surgeon of the first Grinnell expedition, which sailed in 1855, in search of Sir John Franklin. The second time he went in command of an expedition, which sailed in July 1860. On this occasion he penetrated to lattitude 81 degrees 37 minutes, the highest point ever then reached. From here he made the discovery of an open Polar sea, the report of which raised a storm of controversy, which has hardly yet subsided.
After his return from this expedition, Dr. Hayes entered the army as a Surgeon, and in great part organized the great military hospitals at Philadelphia, which were considered far in advance of any army hospitals constructed before that time. After the war Dr. Hayes was chiefly engaged as a lecturer on Arctic subjects for some years, and never made an appearance in politics until some six or seven years ago. He then was elected to the lower house of the New York Legislature, where he served for some years with credit.
At the election of last November he declined being again returned, and would not therefore, as has been stated, be a member of the Legislature which convenes next month. A man of good ability, varied experience and attainments, he has left as legible and lasting a record as any other of the very recent Arctic travelers. As a lecturer he was always graphic, and usually successful. His record in the Legislature of New York was without a stain on his personal character.
Dr. Hayes was a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and was about forty-nine years of age. In his personal characteristics he was one of the most genial and modest of men, one of the most brilliant conversationalists, but requiring considerable effort to bring him out. His several works on Arctic explorations are models of descriptive power and dramatic force. In his lectures he added some of the most essential of the graces of the orator, and was always successful upon the platform.