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.
Born 1834, McDonough County
From The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
WILLIAM R. HAYS, farmer, section 32, was born in McDonough County, Illinois, on the 27th day of September, 1834. He is the son of Thomas R. and Mary (McDonald) Hays. His father a native of Washington County, Kentucky, born February 14, 1800, and his mother of the same county, born on the 20th of November, 1804. They were married December 28, 1822, and then settled in that county William spent his boyhood days and received his education in his native county, attending college in Fulton County in 1855-6. He clerked for his father in 1857, an in 1858, in company with John Grigsby and A. M. Colton, James T. Hays came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and purchased some 1,800 acres of land, and with his parents moved here in the spring of 1859. The fall of 1860 William returned to McDonough County, Ill., and in September, 1861, enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. He was on detached duty from June, 1862, till January, 1863, and was taken prisoner January 5, 1863, and confined in Libby prison till May 5, 1863. He was exchanged and returned to his command. He was mustered out July 1865, as major of that regiment. Mr. H. moved to Nodaway County. Missouri, the same year. His farm is composed of 299 acres of good land. He was married December 30, 1863, to Miss Lucy E. Kirk, a native of McDonough County, Illinois, born May 9, 1840. She is the daughter of John and Nancy 1 Coe) Kirk. Her father was a native of Marion County, Kentucky, born November 24, 1791, and died November 11, 1856. Her mother, a native of Virginia, was born June 19, 1797, and died August 1, 1863. They were married on the 9th of March, 1 <S 1 5, and then settled in Marion County, Kentucky, moving from there to McDonough County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. II. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. II. is a
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.