My Genealogy Hound

FRANK HAYS. One of the prominent citizens of Woodson County, numbered among the later arrivals, but now actively connected with agricultural interests, is Frank Hays, who owns and operates more than five hundred acres of land. He is a native of Macon County, Illinois, born September 19, 1856, being the only son of John and Hannah (Parker) Hays. His father was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, later to Indiana, and finally to Macon County, Illinois, where he took up his abode about 1840. He was twice married and the children by the first union are: Ebenezer, of Madison County, Iowa; Thomas, also of the same county, Cynthia, wife of Isaac Skillman of Oregon, and four who passed away. After the death of his first wife the father married Hannah Parker, who is still living in Macon County, Illinois. By her first marriage to Hezekiah Hays, a brother of her second husband, she had three sons: Vincent T., of Macon County, Illinois; Hezekiah, who is living in the same locality, and James F., of Madison County, Iowa.

Throughout his life Frank Hays has resided upon a farm. He acquired a common-school education and was well trained in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. On the 19th of January, 1876, he was united in marriage to Julia, daughter of Alexander Brett, and a sister of Oscar C. Brett, of Humboldt, Kansas. They now have four living children: Iva, wife of Asa Nourse, of Woodson County; Ray, Ira and Irl. Roy, the third child died at the age of one year.

On the 17th of March, 1880, Mr. Hays disposed of his interests in Illinois, and severing the connections which bound him to his old home came to Woodson County, where he first located on the old D. P. Durning farm, on the county line. He afterward purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section three, Perry township, becoming the owner in 1883 and taking up his abode there in 1886. He has since added to the original tract until he now owns five hundred and seventy acres, controlling the entire amount himself. He is a man of excellent business ability and executive force, fully capable of managing his extensive property interests. He votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in polities as his time is occupied with his duties as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has practically made all that he now possesses since coming to Kansas, a fact which indicates that he has led a very busy, active and useful career, and proving the potency of energy and diligence in achieving success.