My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. JAMES D. HAYS, post office Homestead, was born Jan. 15, 1843, in Mifflin township, and is a son of John D. Hays, a native of Butler county, Pa. The latter came to Allegheny early in life, pursued farming, and died in the service of his country in 1862, a member of Co. H, 62d P. V. I., Army of the Potomac, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home cemetery, Washington. He married Mary, daughter of Moses Cox, and had eight children, viz.: Mrs. Ann L. Gordon, James D., Louis A., Mrs. Sarah J. Moore, Henry, Mrs. Fannie Chamberlaine, Charles and John. James D., at the age of sixteen, enlisted in Co. B, 46th P. V. I., and participated in the engagements of Resaca, Ga., Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and Dalton. He took part in the siege of Atlanta and in Sherman’s march to the sea, and marched through Richmond, from Raleigh, N. C., to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, thence returning home. After the war he went on the river on the Jacob Painter, Veteran and Abe Hays, and on the latter was promoted to pilot, an occupation he followed for eighteen years. For the last ten years he has been captain of the steamer Blackmore. He married Jane, daughter of Capt. Abyron D. Ackard, and they have four children: James, Cora, Flora and Charles. Captain Hays is a member of the G. A. R., and is a republican.