An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, page 396-397. EDWARD S. MAYES, of the firm of May Brothers, who handle an extensive meat business in Hood River, is one of the younger business men there, who have achieved an excellent success. He is a bright, energetic and up-to-date, and with his brother is handling a good business. He was born in Kansas on September 9, 1870, the son of Benjamin F. and Annis (Calvin) Mayes, natives of Illinois. The mother now lives at Hood River. The father's parents were born in New York and came from an old American family. The father and his father, served in the Civil War in Company E, Fortieth Illinois Infantry, also two of the father's brothers were in the same regiment. Benjamin F. Mayes served three years, and participated in some of the heaviest battles of the war, among which are Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and various others. His time expired during the battle of Lookout Mountain. He was wounded at Shiloh, but not severely, and there his father was killed. Our subject's parents moved to Portland when he was eight years of age and his father was engaged in farming and stock raising for several years. In 1888, he was killed in the vicinity of Portland, by a falling tree. Edward S. attended the graded schools in Portland until seventeen years of age and then engaged in the stock business and has been identified with that and in other business for himself ever since. In July, 1899, he located permanently in Hood River where he had had business relations for several years before, then he engaged in the meat business with his brother, Joseph W., who had, with their mother, came to Hood River previously. They bought out a shop and since then, have conducted a thriving business. At Portland, on December 28, 1901, Mr. Mayes married Miss Susannah Cummings, a native of Nebraska. Her father, Robert Cummings, was a native of Canada and lives at St. Helens, Oregon. Mr. Mayes has the following named brothers and sisters: Esther J., the wife of James Watson, a railroad man at San Jose, California; Fanny, the wife of John E. Ross, in Portland; Lizzie, the wife of David Gee, at Portland; Mattie C., the wife of Clyde T. Bonny, of Brooks, Oregon; and Cora B., wife of Ben Theyson, at Hood River, Oregon. Our subject's partner is his only living brother and he is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Mayes three children have been born, Vera M. I., Olive I.Z., and Annis S. Fraternally, our subject is affiliated with the I.O.O.F., and the Order of Washington. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church and are consistent Christians, who believe in the faith that makes faithful and that is good for every day. Politically, he is a good strong Republican and takes a keen interest in all matters of public import. Being genial and generous, he has won hosts of friends and his real integrity and worth hold them. Mr. Mayes deserves to be ranked with the most substantial of Hood River's business men and her best citizens. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.