In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all oth (1881)
JOHN HAYS.
John Hays, son of James Hays, and grandson of Robert and Margaret (Maguire Hays, was born m Pike County, Ohio, January 19, 1841, where he spent aiost of his youthful days.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Mrs. Hays' grandfather was WiUiam Russell, who was born near Londondery, Ireland, about 1784, came to the United States in 1798, and joined his brother John in Philadelphia, who had preceded him to this country. After a few months he left Philadelphia, and stopped with one John Smith, and learned the matter's trade. In 1800 he moved, with Mr. Smith, to Maysville, Kentucky. In 1808 Mr. Russell left Kentucky and came to West Union, Ohio, where he married Nancy Wood, June 8, 1809. He represented Adams County in the State Legislature, from 1811 to 1813, and in the State- Senate from 1818 to 1820. In 1825 he represented Ad- Vane, Brown, Highland, Clinton, and Fayette counties; in 1833 the Ross district, in all eight years. He delivered his farewell address in congress, February 21, 1843. No man in public life ever maintained during the severe trials of many heated contests a pure reputation, and was regarded by all as the honest member. He died at his residence, in Scioto County, September 27, 1845. His wife, Nancy (Wood) Russell, was of English descent, born in New Jersey, about 1790, and died, February 21, 1856.
Mrs. Hays' father, Robert Russell, was born in West Union, Ohio, in 1816, came to Scioto County, with his father's family, in 1833, and married Sarah Heroedh, of Scioto County, Ohio, in-about 1840, who bore one son and one daughter. The son, Robert, is married, and at this writing lives in Scioto County. Annie, the daughter, married John Hays, of Pike County, Ohio. Her father died, September 27, 1845, the same night, and within two hours of the time her grandfather, William Russell, died. Mrs. Hays received her education in the Portsmouth, Ohio, schools. She has been a member of the Baptist Church from youth. She is a good neighbor, wife, and mother.
As printed in History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all oth (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: James Hays
Their biographies name John Hays: James W. Hays (b. 1838)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.