Asa Fleming Hays

 

SOURCE: "Early History and Pioneers of Champaign County, Illinois," by Milton W. Mathews and Lewis A. McLean, editors of the Champaign County Herald, published by the Champaign County Herald, 1886

SURNAMES: ALEXANDER, FLEMING, HAYS, TRACY

 

ASA FLEMING HAYS. Fourth child of William HAYS and Margaret FLEMING, was born near Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, October 24, 1825, twenty nine years after Wayne’s treaty with the Indians near his birth-place. His grandfather was William HAYS, who settled in this county, at Govin’s Grove, about 1838, and died on what is known among old settlers as the Isaac Albright farm, near the Somers’ school house in January, 1852. His father was a farmer till elected sheriff of Darke County, and after his term of office, returned to his farm, where he resided till his death, april 6, 1848.

The subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood and early youth on his father’s farm. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to Jeremiah Reis for four years to learn the blacksmith trade. For these years of faithful service, he received board, clothes, six month’s schooling and a fifty dollar suit of clothes. He considered himself as well rewarded. The kindest of feelings always existed between him and his old master. Having learned his trade he was immediately employed by Mr. Reis, and after a few months went to Indiana on a visit, and being pleased with the country, went to work in a machine shop in Attica. About this time he became acquainted with Catherine TRACY, whom he married, May 23, 1847. Meanwhile his old master solicited his return and offered him a partnership.

In August of 1848, he moved to Pleasant Hill, Indiana, where he followed his trade till December 1850, when he moved to Peoria county, Illinois, where he resided till December, 1851, when he moved to this county and settled on Benjamin Brownfield’s farm about four miles northeast of Urbana. In March, 1853, Mr. Hays became a citizen of Urbana, settling near Kerr’s Tavern and has since done his share towards the improvement and advancement of our city.

Mr. and Mrs. Hays have two children; James W., who has been principal of the public schools of Urbana, since 1871, excepting one year, and Mrs. H. O. ALEXANDER, of Sturgis, Dakota.

Mr. Hays joined the M. E. church at the age of eighteen years, and has thus been identified with the interests of his church for more than forty years. When entitled to participate in political affairs, he cast his influence and votes in favor of the whig party and has never regretted voting for the pathfinder, Gen. Fremont. He is as strong in the republican faith and creed to-day as he was thirty years ago, but has never been an officer holder or seeker.

Mr. Hays has been all his life, a hard worker, and by good habits, industry and correct conduct, has given his children a thorough education and provided an elegant and comfortable home in this city, in which we trust he may continue to enjoy life for many years more.