Honorees

Hon. Benjamin Ignatius Hayes

1815-1877

Judge Hayes was born February 14, 1815 in Baltimore, Maryland.  He attended St. Mary’s College and was admitted to the Maryland Bar at the age of 24.

He first practiced law in Liberty, Missouri and from there relocated to Los Angeles in about 1850.  In Los Angeles he had a small law practice but was enthusiastically supported for the position of District Court Judge when the position was vacated by Oliver S. Witherby.  Judge Hayes was elected as the second judge for the District Court of Southern California, District One which served the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino. 

Judge Hayes held court sessions in San Diego beginning the third Monday of April, August and December.  He traveled to court either on horseback or by carriage and to San Diego via the steamer “Senator”.  After his election as judge he relocated to San Diego from Los Angeles.
Judge Hayes held an important place in the administration of justice in the transition from Mexican rule through the early years of California Statehood.  He had translated the laws of the First California Legislature into Spanish for use in his court.  When he left the Bench he was elected to the State Assembly having served as Assistant District Attorney in San Diego.

He was a respected jurist.  His avocation was gathering whatever he could about the history of Southern California.  When his public life ended he became a trusted associate of H. H. Bancroft who was writing the history of California. Published by his son, County Judge J. Chauncey Hayes, was a book of notes from the Judge’s diaries which gave insight not only to the man but his times (Pioneer Notes from the Diaries of Judge Benjamin Hayes, 1849-1875).

Judge Hayes died August 4, 1877 while on a visit to Los Angeles.  Jurist, politician, public servant and historian were his life’s work, but without the vanity that often accompanies such achievements.

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