Mary E. Smith Hayward

Mary Eliza Hayward ( Smith; July 9, 1842 – February 7, 1938) was an American businesswoman, the first businesswoman of Chadron, Nebraska. For 50 years,

Early life and education Mary Eliza Smith was born in Liberty Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1842. (According to the records of the "United States Census, 1850", Mary was already seven by 1850.) According to Allen (2001), Mary was born in 1842. According to Willard & Livermore (1893) Mary was born in Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1849. Hayward had two sisters, Nellie and Sarah. The father followed agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania during his entire life. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church and the children were reared in this religious body. She was a life member of the National-American Woman Suffrage Association.

Personal life On January 26, 1888,

Chadron's public park by the courthouse was Hayward's gift. In 1909, the women of the town put a fountain there and dedicated it to Hayward. A square on the north side of the Chadron's new courthouse was dedicated to Hayward in 1998.