Biography

01/19/1840 - 02/29/1920

Corporal Thomas R. Hays (R41) Armstrong and Butler Counties, 1909-1912 

Early Life: 

Corporal Thomas R. Hays, born, January 19, 1840 at Brady’s Bend, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; son of Robert and Deborah J. McKee Hays; attended public and private schools; teacher, Watersonville; corporal, Civil War, 1861-1864; married Keziah J. Foster; horse and cattle farmer; engaged, oil, real estate, and banking business; elected, school director, Fairview Township (5 terms); elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1903-1908; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1909-1912; died, February 29, 1920, Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania; interment, North Side Cemetery, Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

 Early Career:

Enlisted, Corporal, September 24, 1861, Company B, 103rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, three-year service; deployed to Fortress Monroe, June 1862; action at Williamsburg, Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, and Malvern Hill, transferred, Battery L, 4th United States Light Artillery, June 1862, destroyed the Petersburg Railroad; joined Grant at Gaines Farm; Chickahominy; Cold Harbor; and Petersburg Campaign, Battery dismounted, November 13, 1864, Petersburg. 

Returned to farming and bred cattle and horses before pursuing oil, real estate, and banking interests. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Served, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, school director, five-terms.  

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1902-1908. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate 41st district, Armstrong and Butler Counties, 1909-1912; committee assignments Exposition Affairs, Judicial Affairs, Library and Military Affairs. 

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us) 

Cited:

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

The Pennsylvania Manual, (1912). Miller, H.P., (Compiler). Baker, W.H., (Assistant Compiler). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 1004, 1010-1013, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 981.

Thomas Hays (1840-1920) - Find a Grave Memorial