My Genealogy Hound

LEE HAYS, farmer, was born at Cottage Home, Tenn., in September, 1834, and is one of nine children born to James T. and Marlinda (Knight) Hays, natives of North Carolina, born in 1803 and 1807 and died in 1864 and 1875, respectively. They were married in Tennessee in 1825. Our subject was educated in the schools near his home, and on the 24th of April, 1861, wedded Miss M. P., daughter of James M. and Nancy Weatherby. She was born in Rutherford County in 1844, and departed this life April 12, 1877. To them were born five children, four of them now living: Martha L., James P., Hattie M. and Lockie D. In March, 1880, he wedded F., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Kiolon. Mrs. Hays was born in 1854, and has borne three children: Stokley B., Mary E. and Fannie. Our subject remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-six years of age, but began farming for himself some time before. Since his marriage he has lived on the old homestead and now owns 100 acres of valuable land. In 1859 he began merchandising at Cottage Home, continuing until the war. In 1881 he began the business in partnership with J. B. Eastes, and at the end of one year became sole proprietor. Later he disposed of his stock and has since given his attention to farming, and has dealt extensively in mules and hogs for upward of thirty years. He is a Democrat and a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.