Mildred Isabel Hayward Soules
25 November 1852 - 22 June 1938
MILDRED ISABEL HAYWARD was the daughter of Civil War veteran George Hayward. She was born on 25 November 1852 in Union Springs, New York. Mildred�s mother�s exact name is not known, although it is fairly certain that her surname was some variation of Flynn. Various sources have spelled it Flin, Flinn, Flyn, or Flynn, and suggest that her first name was Aurora, Joan, Mary, or Rebecca. At some point Mildred's mother left her father, and family tradition has it that she remarried, but it is not known when or to whom.
In the 1860 U. S. Census in Union Springs, New York there is an Amelia Hayward, 8, living with the Edward A. Waldron family. This may well have been Mildred, known as Millie, as it appears that other siblings were living (and possibly working) in other households as well.
In the U. S. Census in Union Springs taken in June of 1870, Millie appears living in the household of Cornelius Schenk. This is consistent with memories of her grandaughter, Mary Mildred, who said her grandmother told her she had lived with two differnt families when she was young. Mary Mildred recalled that her grandmother spoke highly of both families.
On November 28, 1870, just three days after her eighteenth birthday, according to a family Bible, "Miss Millie Hayward of Union Springs, New York and Mr. Benjamin Soles of Canada West" were married at Union Springs, New York by B. B. Gibbs, Pastor (Baptist Church). Witnesses were George Hayward (presumably her father) and Joseph Bishop.
Following their marriage, Benjamin and Millie traveled to Canada. While there, the newlyweds had their photograph taken by F. S. Richardson in Napanee, Ontario. Benjamin's mother reportedly wanted him to finish school, but it is doubtful that he did since shortly thereafter, Benjamin traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to find work. Millie later followed him there, traveling by boat.
In all, five children were born to Benjamin and Millie Soles/Soules, beginning with George Francis who was born 30 September 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio. From Cleveland the young couple moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania, where Benjamin worked on the pipeline, and where their second child, Mabel, was born on 29 May 1874. Once again Ben and Millie relocated, this time to Petrolia, Pennsylvania, where the rest of the children were born: Pearl on 19 September 1876, Ralph Earle on 26 February 1880, and Benjamin Balfour on 1 May 1884.
The young family can be found in the 1880 U. S. Census, where Benjamin is listed as B. G. Souls. For his occupation, "works on pipeline" is given. At that time there were three children: George, age 8; Pearl, age 3, and Earl, age 3 months. Sadly, Mabel died three months short of her third birthday in 1877.
Family tradition has it that before Benjamin Balfour�s birth in May of 1884, his father went westward to seek his fortune. Benjamin is said to have returned to Petrolia on at least one occasion to visit, but he never came back to live with his family in Pennsylvania. Supposedly he asked his wife to join him out West, but Mildred refused to leave Petrolia because that was where her baby Mabel was buried.
The final whereabouts of Mildred's husband Benjamin remain unknown. If she knew what happened to him, she didn't share that information with her family members, and she never spoke ill of him. It's family tradition that letters arrived in Butler County on more than one occasion from "out West." One letter reportedly placed Benjamin in Susanville, California with spotted fever. Another letter is said to have ended up in the fireplace grate at the hands of Mildred, who never revealed its contents.
A 56-year-old "Benjemin" or "Benjimin" Soules can be found in the 1910 U. S. Census in Ophir, Alaska. His birthdate is listed as April 1853; he is listed as the "Head," single. The birthplace of Benjamin and that of both of his parents is listed as New York. His "Partner" is listed as William Jameson, a 48-year-old white male born in 1861 in Illinois.
In 1920, a 66-year-old Benjamin "Saules" or "Souler" (depending on which index you use) can be found in Division 4, Nulato, Ruby, Alaska. He is listed as a widowed prospector, born in New York. He is not listed with any family. Mildred was still alive at the time.
�Mildred Souls� can be found in the 1900 U. S. Census in Butler County, Middlesex Township. Her birth date is given as November 1854, her age as 45, and her marital status as widowed. She is listed as a boarder, with the occupation of House Keeper, the mother of five children, four of which were still living. This is probably Millie, even though her birthplace and the birthplace of her parents are all listed as Pennsylvania. (Note that everyone else on that census page, with the exception of two German immigrants, is also listed as having been born in, and having both parents born in, Pennsylvania.)
In the 1910 U. S. Census, �Mildred Soles,� a widow and head of household, is listed in Washington, McDonald Boro, Pennsylvania, aged 49. Listed with her is Ralph, a son, aged 26. Ralph�s father�s birthplace is listed as Canada, and his nationality as English. Mildred lists her father�s birthplace as New Hampshire, and her mother�s birthplace as New York. Interestingly, both Mildred and Ralph seem to have aged only 4 years between the 1900 and the 1910 census. If Mildred's birthdate was 1852, simple math would have her aged 58!
�Mildred I. Soules� can be found in the 1920 U. S. census living with her daughter Pearl�s family. The head of household is listed as Pearl�s husband Clyde Edward Powell. Living with them, in addition to Mildred and her son Ralph are Clyde�s sister Nettie, Clyde�s mother, Mary, and Clyde and Pearl�s daughter, Mary Mildred (obviously named for her two grandmothers).
Mildred Isabel Soules died on 22 June 1938. Her obituary appeared in the Butler Eagle, as follows:
�Mrs. Mildred Isabell Soules, aged 85, widow of B. G. Soules of Petrolia, died suddenly at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Clyde Powell, in Petrolia at 11:15 o�clock Wednesday morning.
She was born November 25, 1852 at Union Springs, N. Y., and had resided the greater part of her life in the Petrolia district.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Clyde Powell at whose home she died; three sons, George of Chicora R. D., Ralph of Petrolia and Ben of Uhrichsville, O., 14 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Petrolia Methodist Episcopal church.
Funeral services will be held from the residence of her daughter in Petrolia at 2 o�clock Friday afternoon, with Rev. H. H. Thompson, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Petrolia, officiating. Burial will be in the Bear Creek cemetery.�
The Memory Book from the funeral lists Bearers: John Harlen Soules, George Francis Soules, Ralph Hayward Soules, and Edward Clyde Soules (all sons of George Francis Soules). Ed, George and Ralph appear again on the Automobile List page, with the "s" on the end of their surname intact. On the Relatives Attending page, however, the final "s" is missing from the surname of George, "Clyde Edward," Cathron, Bettie, George Jr., John, Ralph, Ben, and Ralph Jr.
On the Family Record page of the Memory Book, Millie's father's name is given as George Hayward, and her mother's name as Rebecca Joan Flynn. Other Members of Family listed are Nettie, Alice, Ella, George, Jim, and Aida.
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