My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS D. HAYS was born June 8, 1854, in Weakley County, Tenn. He is the second of the six children now living born to John P. and Elizabeth C. (Vincent) Hays, natives of Weakley and Wilson Counties, Tenn., of Scotch-Irish origin. The grandparents on the mother’s side were Orren and Pollie (Ezell) Vincent, natives of North Carolina. Those on the father’s side were William and Jennie (Adams) Hays, natives of North Carolina. The grandfather Vincent was a soldier in the war of 1812; the grandfather Hays was a soldier in the Mexican war. John P. Hays was a wagon-maker and farmer; he was one of the first to enlist in the Confederate States Army, under Gen. Buford. Thomas D. was reared on a farm; he received a good English education, and after he was eighteen years of age, attended McKenzie College, Tenn. Three years after, he engaged as a salesman for Martin, of Martin, Tenn., where he remained two years. In November, 1877, he moved to Fulton County and clerked for Patterson & McDowell one year; thence he moved to Hickman, Ky., and clerked in Buchanan’s dry goods store one year; thence to Texarkana, where he clerked for J. H. Draughon until May, 1881. He next engaged in the saw-mill business, near Texarkana, for one year. He then went to Dallas, Texas, where he was engaged as general agent for insurance. November, 1882, he returned to Fulton, Ky., and engaged as salesman with S. G. Patterson & Co., in the dry goods business. May 8, 1883, he purchased a half interest in a grocery, hardware and queensware business, with M. L. Carter, in which he is still engaged. He has met with good success in his enterprises. Mr. Hays is a member of the K. of H., A. O. U. W. and K. of P. fraternities.