BIO: Jesse C. Hays, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

415  BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

  JESSE C. HAYS, retired merchant, Mechanicsburg, was born in 
Newberrytown, York Co., Penn., July 24, 1818.  His grandfather, Jesse 
Hays, was born in Wales, and came alone to America when a young man, 
settling in Chester County, Penn., but afterward moved to York County, 
same State, and took up large tracts of land in Fishing Creek Valley.  
He married Miss Margarey Mills.  Though Jesse Hays and his wife were at 
first Methodists, they subsequently became Quakers; their family 
consisted of three daughters and one son:  Lydia, wife of Joseph 
Willett; Susan, married first to a Mr. Clark, and then to a Mr. 
Carskaddon; Hannah, a maiden lady, and Mills.  Mills Hays, the last-
named, was born in Newberrytown, York Co., Penn., and in early life 
followed coopering, but afterward taught school; served as justice of 
the peace for eighteen years, and was elected, later, to the office of 
associate judge of York County, Penn., filling this position for five 
years.  He died in 1858, aged seventy-two years; he married Miss Eve 
Crull, of York County, and had two sons and three daughters, who lived 
to be men and women, and of whom two daughters and one son are now 
living:  Sidney, widow of William Epley, resides in Newberrytown; Jesse 
C. and Jane, wife of Samuel P. Harmon; they reside in Newberrytown, 
York Co., Penn.  Our subject attended school in Newberrytown until he 
was eighteen, when he began teaching, and after following this 
profession eight winters engaged in mercantile trade with his father.  
In 1848 he bought out his father's interest and engaged in business for 
himself until 1865, when he sold out.  He was elected justice of the 
peace of Newberry Township in 1863, and held that office five years; 
was also postmaster eight years.  In 1869 he came to Mechanicsburg, 
where he has since resided.  Mr. Hays was married, May 13, 1852, to 
Miss Mary Miller, born in Newberry Township, York Co., Penn., February 
15, 1827, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Reeser) Miller, old settlers of 
York County, and whose parents came from Germany.  Mr. Hays attends the 
Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Hays is a member of the United Brethren 
Church.  To them have been born two children:  Mills M., born in New-

416  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

berrytown, York Co., Penn., married to Miss Clara Bowers, is a cigar 
manufacturer, and Mame, at present attending Miss Woodward's school at 
Harrisburg.  Mr. Hays is at enterprising business man and 
representative citizen of Mechanicsburg, where he has been a resident 
since 1869.  He has a nice residence on West Main Street, where he and 
his family reside.  In politics he is a Democrat.