My Genealogy Hound

F. M. HAYS, Ballard County, was born in Gibson County, Tenn., January 1, 1853, and is a son of Jessee J. and Hepsy M. (Buller) Hays. The father was born in Wake County, N. C., November 11, 1822. The mother was born in Gibson County, Tenn., April 14, 1828. Both are still living near Bradford, Tenn. Subject was the fifth of twelve children, of whom ten, five sons and five daughters, are still living. He was brought up on a farm, until he was about twenty years of age. He went to Greene County, Ark., and worked on a farm. He remained there about twelve months. He didn’t have much chance for acquiring an education. He then came to Graves County, Ky., where he attended school; went to Hickman County, Ky., and attended school there, and then went to Milburn, Ballard County, and attended school there. About 1875 he began teaching school in Graves County; taught two terms, and subsequently taught in Hickman County, Ky., three terms, and near Trenton, Tenn., one term. In February, 1879, he began merchandising at Bradford, Tenn. He remained there for about eighteen months, and then came to Milburn, where he has since been in business, and now carries a stock of about $2,500. He was married, November 27, 1879, to Miss M. B. Courtney, a daughter of Walter H. and Julia A. (Gourd) Courtney. Two children, Minnie Pearl and William Walter, have blessed this union. He has served as school trustee of Milburn District, Ballard County, and is a member of the Milburn Masonic Lodge, No. 170, and Milburn Lodge, No. 1,989, K. of H., and Abe Lincoln Mutual Aid Society of Cairo. Mrs. Hays is a member of the Baptist Church.