Member Biography

James Wilson Hays 

Seal
Sessions Office Position District Party
1876       40 Democrat
1877       40 Democrat
1878       40 Democrat

COUNTIES: Fayette, Greene  


Biography

12/21/1817 - 11/11/1902


James Wilson Hays (D40) Fayette and Greene Counties 1876-1878

Early Life:

James Wilson Hays, born December 21, 1817, Waynesburg, Greene County, son of William Thompson and Sarah Wilson Hayes; attended common school education; editor, Waynesburg Messenger, fifty years; married, Hannah Minor, 1842, children, William Thompson Hays, Abia Minor Hays, Frances Henrietta Hays Ferrell, Jesse Lazear Hays; collector of tolls, Pennsylvania Canal, 1850; engaged, mercantile business; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1876-1878; died, November 11, 1902, (aged 84); interment Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Appointment, President Franklin Pierce, Washington, Post Office Department, three years. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, Fayette and Greene Counties, 1876-1878; committee assignments, Accounts, Pensions and Gratuities, Public Buildings

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members H"Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1878) Smull, J.A., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 657, 662-665, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 622. 

The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Friday, November 14, 1902, page 2.

Hon James Wilson Hays (1817-1902) - Find a Grave Memorial