Biography, 1988, Hayes And Lois Pifer, "The Century Farms of Jefferson County, PA", (The Jefferson County Historical and Genealogical Society, Brookville, PA), pp.54-55

HAYES AND LOIS PIFER

Another descendant of John and Charlotte Pifer, the early settlers of Henderson Township, was Hayes Pifer, who with wife Lois owned the 102-acre farm purchased in 1848 by Jonas Pifer. Jonas was the oldest son of John and Charlotte, who had come to the area in 1829 from Westmoreland County. Hayes and Lois applied for the Century Farm designation in 1977, and he died August 27 of that year, leaving Lois the sole owner.

John Pifer had taken up government lands, and in May of 1829 he took possession of the new purchase. With the help of his two oldest sons, Jonas and John, he erected a small log cabin and made other improvements so that the rest of the family could move in that December.

Jonas (1811-1885) married Elizabeth Shetterly (1814-1896), and they raised a family of 12 children. The fifth child and oldest son was Andrew (1845-1908)., who became the next owner of the Pifer farm in 1878.

Andrew (1845-1908) was married twice, first to Carolina David, who died of typhoid, and then to Lydia Zufall (1856-1929). He was the father of 12 children. As Lydia survived her husband, it was she who deeded it to their son Russell in 1928.

Joseph Russell Pifer (1897-1975) married Virginia Peoples (1904-1969), and they were the parents of 10 children, four of whom died in infancy. Hayes, born 1922, was their oldest child, and was on of two sons who survived.

In 1955, Hayes was married to Lois Strouse, and the couple had seven children: Eloise Jane; Cynthia Virginia, the wife of Gregory Peace and mother of Joshua and Brandi; Lydia Kathryn, the wife of James Crooks and mother of Nathan and Chelsea; Janet Mary, the wife of Harold Eastman; Brian Hayes, who married Susan Norman and is the father of Lauren; Faith Emily, the wife of Russell Newman; and Ross Herbert, unmarried.

Hayes and Lois received the farm from his father, Russell Pifer, in 1969. The family's lifelong interest in farming is evident, and it has always been "a family affair." Two of the Pifer girls won the title of "Jefferson County Dairy Princess," first Eloise in 1976, and then Lydia in 1977 -- quite a record for one family. Then Lydia went on to become "Miss Clarion State College" in 1979.

The family is scattered now, with Eloise living in DuBois, Lydia in Clarion, Janet in Gettysburg, Brian in Wyalusing, Faith in Virginia, and Ross attending Penn State. One daughter, Cynthia Peace, lives near her home.
For many years Hayes Pifer worked on the farm with his father, Russell, and had a dairy her of Holsteins. He also worked at Armagost Steel in DuBois for several years. He suffered a fatal heart attack in August 1977. Lois is now working off the farm.