Lewis Hayden

Prince Edward Island

Mr. Lewis Hayden of Cherry Valley, will long be remembered as the man who introduced the Hereford breed to the Province of Prince Edward Island, having purchased his foundation stock from the late Mr. W. W. Black of Amherst, N.S. He registered his first calf in 1912.

During his lifelong association with the Hereford breed, Mr. Hayden's efforts lent much to its early development and improvement, as he continued to purchase additional breeding stock of high quality and to maintain a constant interest in the breed and breed activities.

Cherry Valley Herefords were frequent winners on the Island exhibition circuit with Mr. Hayden having attended the Provincial Exhibition, Charlottetown as spectator, exhibitor and judge, over a period of 71 consecutive years. In recognition of his interest in the breed and his leadership, the Canadian Hereford Association conferred an Honourary Presidency to Mr. Hayden in 1965.

The Hayden Enterprise, now operated by his two sons and his grandsons, involves some 2,000 acres of tillable land, a beef herd of several hundred head, 400 acres of potatoes, 700 acres of grain and two large automatic hog-feeding units.

Mr. Hayden took particular interest in the affairs and activities of his community and his church. He was an ardent lover and owner of horses and enjoyed nothing better than to spend an evening under the lights at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

His was a long and useful life - a life well spent.