Elihu B. Hayes

Elihu Burritt Hayes (April 26, 1848 – April 1, 1903) was an American shoe manufacturer, newspaperman, and politician, who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 18th Essex District, and as the 25th Mayor of Lynn, Massachusetts.

Early life
Hayes was born in West Lebanon, Maine on April 26, 1848, and moved to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1865.

Family life
In 1873 Hayes married Amy A. Farnum of Lynn, They had one child, Eugene.

Business career
Hayes worked in the shoe industry, indeed he may have been employed by the Hayes Cooperage Co. which was founded by John and Patrick Hayes in mid 1800s, until 1872. After he left the shoe industry, Hayes went into the newspaper business. Hayes took over ownership of The Lynn Bee. In 1885 Hayes took over The Boston Advertiser.

Introduction of the secret ballot in Massachusetts
In 1888, while in the Massachusetts Legislature, Hayes introduced the first bill in the United States to adopt the Australian style ballot system, initiating the successful movement for the adoption of the Secret ballot in the United States.