Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 988 - 989 

L HAYS, a representative business man of Wichita, successfully engaged in the harness and saddlery business at No. 127 West Douglas avenue, was born in Germany in 1845, and in that country so famed for its educational advantages received an excellent public school education. When but thirteen years old Mr. Hays came to America, and landed at Castle Garden, N. Y., without a dollar in his pocket. Nothing daunted he set to work to earn his living by blacking boots and selling papers, and being entirely unacquainted with the English language had a hard struggle. After a three-weeks stay in the city he proceeded to Rochester, where he had relatives, who assisted him with the loan of $10. This money young Hays invested in a pack of Yankee notions which he peddled through New York and Pennsylvania. He gained slowly, but by perseverance, industry and economy, accumulated $200 in eighteen months. The great Civil War then broke out, and young Hays then became a clerk for a sutler in the 33d New York Regiment; after clerking five months he bought out his employer, and followed the Army of the Potomac as a sutler. He amassed a considerable fortune, and  being taken prisoner by Stonewall Jackson, he unwillingly contributed to the Confederacy his entire fortune of $70,000. He was a prisoner two months in Richmond, and when he arrived in Baltimore after his release, was in the same condition financially as when he landed in New York a penniless lad. Our subject then went to Washington Heights and became a peddler among the soldiers, doing so much trading that he took a partner, but he soon defrauded him of his possessions. Going from there to Indianapolis Mr. Hays became a salesman in a clothing house, but not being satisfied with his position soon after went to Missouri and took charge of a store in Rolla. There he was interrupted by the raid of Price and Marmaduke, and was conscripted into the State Militia, in which he served for six months.

            We next hear of our subject in Virden, Ill., where he successfully engaged in the dry-goods business, and soon after opened a branch establishment at Auburn in the same State; finally consolidating the two stores, he removed his business to Taylorsville, where he remained several years. In 1868 our subject came to Kansas and opened a store in Humboldt, where he remained ten months. In the ensuing year he came to Wichita, and established himself here in the clothing business, which he carried on five years, then selling at an advantage he embarked in the hide and wool business. In 1875 he opened a leather and findings store, to which in 1878 he added saddlery, and has continued the business since, meeting with great financial prosperity. He is the largest dealer in his line of business in the city, having a wholesale trade exclusively, and occupying his entire store and basement, where he carries about $75,000 worth of stock. In 1886 Mr. Hays did a business of $250,000, handling that year all the wool of the southwest. He also owns considerable real estate in the city, and stands high in the mercantile world, where he has the confidence and respect of all persons with whom he deals.

            In 1873 Mr. Hays returned to Germany and visited his native town of Grumbach, and was there married to Miss Clara Marx, daughter of Aaron Marx, of Trier, Germany. To them have been born two children, Gertie and Millie.

            The career of our subject is in many respects remarkable; starting as a stranger in a strange land, with no knowledge of the language, and without a dollar, he has gradually persevered through various vicissitudes, which would have discouraged a less determined man, until he has made a final success, and is now numbered among the wealthy citizens of this community. Politically, our subject is a Democrat, and socially, is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Honor.

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