Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 745 - 746 

W. W. HAYS, Sheriff of Sedgwick County, is a prominent and influential citizen of Kansas. He was elected to his present office in 1886, and has shown himself eminently fitted for the responsibilities of his position, being a fearless man of keen, resolute will, uncompromising integrity, and prompt to act. He is a native of Franklin, Morgan Co., Ill., born Jan. 20, 1840, and is a son of Louis and Mary (Lewis) Hays, natives respectively of Pittsburgh, Pa., and of Georgetown, Ky. His father was engaged in farming in his native State until 1831, when he went to Illinois and became an early settler of Morgan County. He remained a resident of that county until 1871, when he again made a move to the West, and in the early days of Sedgwick County settled on Cowskin Creek, with his family. By industry and enterprise he opened up a fine farm in that locality, which remained the home of himself and wife until death, she dying in 1873, and he in 1876. They occupied a prominent position in that community, were active members of the Christian Church, and took a leading part in religious and educational matters. Three children were born of their marriage: Marion, Mrs. Grosh, of Wichita; Alice, Mrs. V. W. Cloud, who lives on the old homestead ; and our subject. The family are of Scotch descent on the father's side, and come of an old Kentucky family on the mother's side.

             The subject of this sketch, after attaining manhood, spent his younger years in traveling, was profitably engaged in shipping stock, and in railroading. He came to Kansas in 1871, and settled in Sedgwick County, making his home on Cowskin Creek, where he had land. He there built the first flouring-mill in the county, and subsequently erected three mills in this county. In 1874 he founded and laid out the town of Haysville, where he owned a valuable ranch and built a mill, and remained there prosperously engaged in milling and agriculture for several years, not moving away from there permanently until 1885. In 1881-82, Mr. Hays was in Colorado, where he had a force of men engaged in the silver mines. He was quite successful in his mining ventures, but eventually returned to his home in Kansas, and in 1885 took up his residence in this city. He was elected to the important position of Sheriff of Sedgwick County in 1886, and has proved a very popular and efficient officer. He has his office in the county building, and his residence at the jail, No. 511 North Market street. He has captured 578 prisoners in twenty-one months' service, and thirty-seven insane persons, twenty-four for other counties and States.

            Sheriff Hays was united in marriage, April 16, 1865, to Miss Julia Cavenaugh, of Franklin, Morgan Co., Ill., a daughter of T. H. and Rebecca Cavenaugh. Of this union five children have been born -- Annie, Kate, Amy, William and Richard.

            The Sheriff is a stalwart Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife have hosts of warm friends, and enjoy in a marked degree the respect and confidence of this community.

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