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Hon. Thomas Hays
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HON. THOMAS HAYS, recently elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate from the Forty-first Senatorial District, composed of Armstrong and Butler Counties, is one of
Butler County's most prominent citizens. He was born January 19, 1840, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and obtained a fair education in the local schools. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which formed part of the Fouth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and with his regiment he took part in the Peninsula Campaign and participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill. Later, when transferred to the Eighteenth Corps, he was stationed at Sutfolk, Virginia. After the expiration of his first term of enlistment, in November, 1862, he reentered the army, becoming a member of Battery L, Fourth United States Artillery. His subsequent service included the siege of Suffolk, the operations around Yorktown, siege of Petersburg, battle of Cold Harbor and the engagements in front of Richmond. He was honorably discharged November 13, 1864. In the spring of 1867 he took up his residence on a farm in Fairview Township, Butler County, where he lived for ten years and then removed to Fairview, where he lived for twenty years. Since 1900 he has been largely interested in the oil industry and is one of the most successful oil producers of this section. He has many business interests aside from oil production. He is a director in the Farmers National Bank and is a partner in a large wholesale grocery concern. He erected the Waverly Hotel, which he still owns. Senator Hays was married December 21, 1865, to Keziah J. Foster, who is a daughter of Christopher F. and Isabella Foster, of Armstrong County. They had six children born to them, namely: Jennie L., Christopher F., Robert N., Maud B., Thomas H. and Charles F. W. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, Senator Hays being an elder therein. For many years he has been one of Butler County's most astute politicians and capable public men. He is a Republican in his political views and in 1902 he was elected to the State Legislature and was reelected to that body, serving until 1906. He has served also in borough offices where his efforts have always been directed to the improvement of the community and the general welfare of the people. In 1908 he was elected to the State Senate, his opponent being Dr. R. J. Grossman. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, a member of the Woodmen of the World, one of the Sons of the American Revolution and a member of Post 105 G. A. R. of Butler, Penna. Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 630-633.
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