John Nesbitt Conyngham was born in Wilkes-Barre on September 13, 1865, the oldest son of William Lord Conyngham and Olivia Hillard.  On April 18, 1895 he married Bertha Robinson, daughter of John Norris Robinson and stepdaughter of financier J. Hood Wright.  Bertha’s great fortune was larger than her husband’s.

Conyngham was president of the Standard Register Company of New York, a director of National Biscuit Company, and director and vice-president of Miners National Bank in Wilkes-Barre.  He was involved in numerous coal companies, including as a president of the West End Coal Company and the Tioga Coal Company (New York).

A “gentleman farmer,” Conyngham purchased the land that became “Hayfield Farm” in Lehman Township in the early 20th century and raised Clydesdale horses, Highlander beef cattle, and Sardinia donkeys.  While not in Pennsylvania, the Conynghams resided at the Hotel Plaza in New York.

The first cornerstone for Hayfield House was laid in 1932 and the family first occupied the home on Thanksgiving Day 1933.  John Nesbitt Conyngham only enjoyed his new home for a little over a year. He died on July 12, 1935, in his bedroom in Hayfield House, at the age of 69.