Columbia Hayes was born 16 Oct 1836 in
Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. She was the first of four children born to
William Henry Hayes Maryland and his first wife, Anna Riggs, both of Maryland. Columbia
married Harris E. Pattison on 31 Dec 1867. The Hayes family were closely
befriended with the Pattison family of Knox County both through their religious
beliefs and professionally. Columbia's father was a medical doctor, and he
apprenticed the Pattisons' son, Harris.
Harris moved the family to Indiana in 1870, and
they settled in Pulaski County. Columbia died there on 09 Nov 1886.
Columbia's obituary appeared in
the Winamac (IN) Democratic Journal on Nov. 27, 1886. She appears to have been
a very religious woman:
"At her late residence
in this place, after a few days illness, Mrs. Columbia H., wife of Dr. H.E. Pattison and daughter of Dr. William and Anna Rigs Hayes. The deceased was born in
Ohio, and was married to the Doctor in that state about nineteen years ago. In
1870 she with the family removed to Star City, Pulaski county, and from thence
to Winamac in 1875, where she continued to reside until her death. She had
three children, of whom two sons survive her.
"The news of the sudden death of Mrs. Pattison cast a
deep gloom over our entire community, as all seemed to realize that a good and
affectionate wife, a fond, loving mother, a devoted friend and neighbor, and an
exemplary Christian lady had passed over the cold, dark river. The death of
this amiable Christian was clouded with no uncertainty as to the future. She
was a devoted disciple of Christ from an unwavering conviction of the truth of
the oracles of God, and her life was in conformity to its Divine teaching. Her
devotion and attendance at the house of God was an evidence of her loving
attachment to His worship and exemplified her own deep devotion in the service
of the Master. Death had no terrors for and the grave excited no fears to this
Christian woman "when the golden bowl and pitcher were broken at the
fountain."
"The services at the funeral were conducted by Eld. J.P.
Barnett in an impressive manner, after which the remains were followed by the
largest concourse of people ever in procession to the cemetery.
"To the relatives and friends of the deceased we
express not only our own deep sympathy in their great loss, but the condolence
of our entire community.
Just across the silent river,
In the undiscovered land,
There are living waters flowing,
Softly o'er the golden sand;
And I hear the angel voices
Ringing o'er the crystal sea;
In that land of light and beauty,
There's a mansion, bright, for thee."