My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM M. LAY. As might naturally be expected, mention is made in the present work of many citizens of Seneca County now prominent in their different callings, but none more so than the successful agriculturist, Hiram M. Lay, of the town of Tyre. He was born in the same house where he now resides, March 6, 1848, and is the son of Hiram and Nancy (Morehouse) Lay, the former of whom was born in this town, July 23, 1809. He in turn was the son of Samuel Lay, one of the old pioneers of the county. The latter came here in company with his brother many years ago, and took up land which is now comprised in the old Wayne Farm. Before they could erect a cabin to shelter them, they slept in an old hollow tree, but a severe storm arising one night so thoroughly frightened the brother that he returned East. Samuel remained, however, and by so doing became well-to-do in this world’s goods. He afterward sold out his original farm, and purchased a tract three-quarters of a mile from where our subject now resides.

Hiram Lay, Sr., was the eldest member of his parents’ family of ten children, and therefore did much hard work in his younger days. Ambitious to begin life for himself, upon becoming of age he purchased a portion of his father’s farm, and with all the strength of his young manhood began its improvement. He was determined to make a success of life, and that he did so is evidenced by the fact that he was at one time the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, all located in the town of Tyre. He began at the bottom of the ladder, and for many years lived in a little log cabin. As his prospects grew brighter, and he felt that he was justified in doing so, he erected a more comfortable abode for his family. This dwelling is now occupied by our subject, and is still in a good state of preservation. Its walls are built of cobblestones, and will therefore stand the wear of years.

By his first marriage Hiram Lay, Sr., became the father of two children, and by his union with Nancy Morehouse there were also born two children, of whom our subject was the elder, and the only son. The father was a prominent Democrat in his community and for a number of terms was Assessor of his town. He lived to an advanced age, departing this life July 17, 1893, and was buried on the day he would have been eighty-four years old.

The mother of our subject, who had also been twice married, had one son by her union with Mr. Royston. The former was married, and on his death left a family of four children. Mrs. Nancy Lay died April 22, 1887. The boyhood days of our subject were spent in attendance at the district school, after which he was sent to Seneca Falls to complete his education in the excellent schools of that place. Later he was desirous of taking a business course, and, going to Syracuse, was graduated from Bryant & Stratton’s College when twenty years of age. He then returned to the home farm, and, January 20, 1874, was married to Miss Susan Brown, of the town of Tyre. To them have been granted two sons: Elbert H., born January 28, 1876; and Jesse A., born in September, 1878. The former took a course in dairying at Cornell University in 1895, and is now employed in the butter factory at Seneca Falls.

Mr. Lay gives his adherence to the Democratic party, and by the members of this organization in his community was elected Highway Commissioner. He is connected with Seneca Grange at Seneca Falls, in which he takes an active part and is very greatly interested. Besides having a life interest in a tract of two hundred and forty-five acres, he is the owner of one hundred and five acres of land. Probably no man of his age is more popular in Tyre than Mr. Lay, and he has won this kindly feeling by his genial manners and good judgment in his intercourse with his fellow-men.