James B. Hays

The Honorable James Hays
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Idaho Territory
In office July 1, 1885 – May 31, 1888
Appointed by	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	John T. Morgan
Succeeded by	Hugh W. Weir
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Dodge 2nd district
In office January 7, 1867 – January 6, 1868
Preceded by	Andrew Willard
Succeeded by	Lewis M. Benson
Personal details
Born	(1838-09-10)September 10, 1838 Crawford County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 31, 1888(1888-05-31) (aged 49) Boise, Idaho Territory, U.S.
Resting place	Saint Paul's Episcopal Cemetery, Ashippun, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Permelia Elizabeth Hubbard ​ ​ (m. 1863⁠–⁠1888)​
Children	3, including S. H. Hays
Education	University of Wisconsin
Profession	Lawyer, judge
Signature

James Buchanan Hays (September 10, 1838 – May 31, 1888) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist. He served 3 years as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Idaho Territory (1885–1888), and earlier in his career served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1867).

Early life and education

Born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania,[1] Hays moved with his family to Ashippun, Wisconsin Territory, in 1847. He attended the University of Wisconsin and studied law in Horicon, Wisconsin. He married Permelia Elizabeth Hubbard (1844–1928) in 1863.[2]

Career

In Wisconsin, Hays served as Clerk of the Wisconsin circuit court in Dodge County, and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1865. While living in Juneau, Wisconsin, Hays served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1867.[3] He then served as the district attorney of Dodge County in 1874. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Secretary of State of Wisconsin in 1877.

On July 1, 1885, Hays received a recess appointment as Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court from President Grover Cleveland.[4] He was formally nominated by Cleveland on December 14, 1885, and confirmed by the senate on October 2, 1886.[5][6]

Personal life

Hays died in Boise, Idaho Territory, while still in office[7][8] and was buried in Wisconsin.[9] Hays' eldest son, Samuel H. Hays, was a politician and attorney who served as the mayor of Boise, Idaho, and 29th Idaho Attorney General.

References

1. "A dispatch". The Wisconsin State Register. Portage, WI. June 2, 1888. p. 3. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRLZ-SQ5 : 30 January 2020), James B. Hays, 1863.
3. Serving the State: Wisconsin Legislators, 1848–2019
4. "Washington News". Portland Press Herald. July 2, 1885.
5. Congressional Record. December 17, 1885. p. 257.
6. Congressional Record. August 4, 1886. p. 7975.
7. Proceedings of the State Bar Association of Wisconsin, vol. 3, Wisconsin State Bar Association: 1901, Biographical Sketch of James B. Hays.
8. Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography, vol. 7, James Grant Wilson, John Fiske, D. Appleton: 1901, Biographical Sketch of James Buchanan Hays, p. 136.
9. "Death record". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, UT. June 1, 1888. p. 2. Retrieved March 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• James B. Hays at Find a Grave

Party political offices
Preceded by Peter Doyle	Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Wisconsin 1877	Succeeded by Samuel Ryan Jr.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Andrew Willard	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Dodge 2nd district January 7, 1867 – January 6, 1868	Succeeded by Lewis M. Benson
Legal offices
Preceded by John T. Morgan	Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Idaho Territory July 1, 1885 – May 31, 1888	Succeeded by Hugh W. Weir