My Genealogy Hound

John Hays is one of the substantial men of Clark County. He was born in Lancaster District, S. C, January 11, 1843, a son of Henry and Nancy (Beaver) Hays, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. His father was a son of Jesse Hays, a successful farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in Charleston, S. C, during that war. Henry Hays was born April 17, 1804, and while still a child his mother moved to South Carolina, where Henry spent his boyhood days. In 1855 he moved to Tallapoosa County, Ala., remaining there until 1858, then moving to Calhoun County, Ark., where he remained until 1861, when he moved to Ouachita County, residing there until 1882, when he made his home with his son, our subject, and died in 1884. During his life he was successfully engaged in farming. He was a life-long Democrat. His wife died January 18, 1866, a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as was her husband, both taking an active interest in church affairs. Mr. Hays afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, a widow lady. There were born to his first marriage seven children (the subject of this sketch being the sixth in order of birth), three of whom are now living, viz.: Daniel (a farmer of Bureau County, Tex.), John (the subject of this sketch) and Mary (now the wife of Rufus Cummines, a farmer of Wichita County, Tex.). Those dead are Jesse (who died in South Carolina in his nineteenth year), Henry (a soldier in the Confederate army, died during the late war at Little Rock), William (also a Confederate soldier, belonging to Col. Gant's regiment, died in New Madrid) and Sarah (died in South Carolina). The subject of this sketch spent his school days in Alabama and Calhoun County, Ark. In June, 1861, he left his home, friends and school, and cast his lot with the Confederacy, joining the State service. In 1862 he was transferred to Col. Pleasant's regiment, and served in that regiment until 1863, when he was transferred to Trans-Mississippi Corps of Engineers, in which he served until the close of the war. While in the ranks he was engaged in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena, Poison Springs, Marks Mill, and was never wounded, although he had his clothes pierced by bullets several times. At the close of the war he returned home and took charge of his father's affairs, and then engaged in farming, at which he has successfully continued ever since. He remained in Nevada County, that part cut off from Ouachita County, until December, 1879, when he moved to his present residence in Clark County. His farm, which is one of the best in the county, consists of 300 acres of land in Little Missouri River bottom, and his residence is on an elevation of 150 feet above the farm. In 1885 he formed a partnership with W. R. Ross, under the firm name of Ross & Hays, and they continued in business until the first of the year, when they formed a stock company, and now do business at Okolona, and sell over $50,000 worth of goods annually. In February, 1866, he was married to Miss Rebecca Knight, daughter of Thomas Knight, born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., in 1842. This union has resulted in the birth of nine children, eight of whom are still living, viz.: Nancy R. (wife of Dr. T. H. Baird, located at Washington, Ark.), Thomas H. (in store) and Jesse L., William O., Robert E., John R., Mary S. and Simeon C. (at home). Adolphus E. died in infancy. Mr. Hays is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, is a Mason and a K. of P. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the prominent men of his county. His success in life is due entirely to his own efforts—the result of industry and ability.