BIOS: Simon HAY, Brothersvalley Township, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 63-64.

  Simon Hay, one of the best known residents of Brother's Valley, Somerset 
County, Pa., was born in this township, July 9, 1807, son of George and Mary 
(Countryman) Hay.  He was named for his grandfather Hay, who was a pioneer in 
this locality.  (Further mention of the family will be found in a sketch of John 
G. Hay, which appears elsewhere in the Review.)
  Simon Hay made the most of his opportunities for obtaining an education in the 
district schools.  He assisted his father in farm work until twenty-two years of 
age, when he started in life for himself and cleared from the wilderness the 
farm upon which he now resides.  The buildings were erected by him in a most 
substantial manner, and he has continued to improve the property from time to 
time.
  Mr. Hay was joined in marriage previous to his twenty-second birthday with 
Lydia Walker, daughter of George and Catherine (Coleman) Walker.  His children 
are: Matilda, who married Cyrus Bowman, and resides in Berlin, having three 
children living; Dennis, a resident of Berlin, who married for his first wife 
Lizzie Brubaker, for his second Mrs. Susannah Meese, and for his third Jan 
Wagner; Catharine, who married John Altfather, and resides in Brother's Valley; 
Melissa, who is married to William Dickey, of Brother's Valley, and has two 
children; and Benjamin, who lives at the homestead.  Benjamin Hay served three 
years in the Civil War as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and fought in twenty-three engagements.  He married 
Harriet Glessner, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Suder) Glessner, and has five 
children; namely, Ellis S., Clarence H., Benjamin K., William F., and Lydia V.  
The two last named are living at home with their parents.  Ellis S. Hay is a 
minister of the Reformed church, and resides in Roanoke City, Va.  He married 
Eve Ora, daughter of Joseph Walker.  Clarence H. married Carrie Lentz, and 
resides in Brother's Valley.  Benjamin K. is a student at Franklin Marshall 
College, Lancaster, Pa.
  Mr. Hay was formerly quite active in public affairs, and served with ability 
as Supervisor.  He cast his first Presidential vote for the Whig candidate in 
1828, and has been a Republican since the formation of the party.  For many 
years he has been an Elder of the Reformed church.