JOHN B. HAYS is one of the representative citizens of Smith township, and comes of an eminent pioneer family, of whom one David Hays, on September 13, 1787, purchased land in New Jersey, where children were born to him and reared as follows: John, Thomas, David, Joseph, William, James and Moses, and five daughters, whose names are unknown. Moses Hays was born in the State of New Jersey, and after partially learning the blacksmith's trade was drafted, at the age of sixteen, into the Continental army, and with five brothers of his he served through the war as regimental blacksmith, and during the contest his brother John, who was a lieutenant, received a wound which afterward caused his death. In 1783 Moses was married to Jemima Peterson, a native of New Jersey. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, Moses, with his wife and brothers, went West, settling on 1,000 acres of land about three miles southeast of Burgettstown, this county, on Raccoon creek. The brothers divided this tract, and Moses made a permanent home upon his share, which is still owned by Alex Hays, where the following children were born to him and reared: Thomas (moved to Jackson county, Ohio, where he died), born October 5, 1784; Edith (wife of David Hays, of Ohio), born February 27, 1786; John (deceased near Moorefield, Harrison Co., Ohio), born February 3, 1789; William (killed by accident), born April 7, 1791; James (deceased in Allegheny county, Penn.), born June 11, 1793; Alexander, born November 11, 1795; Mary (deceased in youth), born December 25, 1797; Eleanor (deceased wife of James Todd, of Allegheny county), born November 15, 1799; Joseph (deceased on the home farm) born February 15, 1801; David (deceased farmer of Smith township, married to Martha Fulton), born May 7, 1803; and Ann (deceased in youth), born June 23, 1805. Moses Hays possessed a remarkably retentive memory, easily recalling incidents of the Revolutionary war fifty years after the conflict. Anything once seen or heard he never forgot, and easily brought it to mind whenever the subject arose. He was a prominent and successful farmer, and in religion was a member of the Raccoon Church during the ministry of Rev. Moses Allen, who was a personal friend of Moses Hays. The latter passed away in 1836, being followed a few days thereafter by his wife. Alexander Hays was born November 11, 1795, on the farm of his father in Smith township. His literary attainments were acquired in the primitive log-cabin schoolhouse of the day, the instruction being as limited as the furniture, but Alexander Hays soon gave evidence of unusual mechanical ability, readily learning both the carpenter's and blacksmith's trades. In 1824 he made choice of a wife in the person of Ann Stevenson, who was born in 1802, daughter of James Stevenson, an extensive landowner of Smith township. The children born to this union were as follows: one deceased in infancy, James S. (whose name opens this sketch), Jemima (deceased in infancy), John B. (a farmer of Smith township) and Joseph (a lawyer in Pittsburgh, Penn.). Alexander and Ann (Stevenson) Hays began married life on a part of the old Stevenson tract, lying about one mile and a quarter west of Burgettstown, Penn., where they passed all of their wedded life. He was an industrious, kind-hearted man, possessing many friends. In politics he was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and filled several township offices to the entire satisfaction of his party. He died in 1846, and in 1881 his widow was laid to rest beside him. John B. Hays (a son of Alexander and Ann (Stevenson) Hays) was the fourth child in his father's family. He was born on the farm in Smith township, this county, where he is now living, and attended the rate schools during his boyhood. He cherished a youthful ambition to become a lawyer, and to this end took a practical course in Washington College, but owing to the failing health of his parents, he soon returned to the farm. During the "gold fever" excitement he went to California, remaining three years, then returned to his widowed mother, and was afterward employed as a dry-goods clerk in the store of his uncle, J. B. Phillis, of Burgettstown, this county. John B. Hays was a soldier in the Civil war, being promoted for bravery and efficient service to the rank of captain. At the close of the war he returned to the home place, and September 30, 1875, was united in marriage with Mary A. Scott, who was born January 20, 1840, daughter of Josiah N. and Rachel (Vance) Scott, of Jefferson township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hays are the parents of the following children: Ernest B., George P., John W., and Joseph (deceased at the age of three years), the living children all residing at home. Mr. Hays has been extensively engaged in the dairy business, but has been more active in political than agricultural life. He is one of the leading advisors and workers of the Republican party in his vicinity, and has held various township offices, in which he has always given perfect satisfaction. He was a justice of the peace for fifteen years, first elected in 1859, and in 1890 was appointed by President Harrison to the position of Government gauger and storekeeper in the District of Washington, Greene and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania.

Text taken from page 1275 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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