Edward R. Hays
Encyclopedia
Edward Retilla Hays was a nineteenth century politician, soldier, and lawyer from Ohio
and Iowa
, who briefly represented Iowa's 7th congressional district
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
, Hays attended rural schools near Tiffin, Ohio
, as a child. During the Civil War
, he served as a private
in the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865.
Afterwards, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1869, commencing practice in Knoxville, Iowa
. He served on the local school board and on the City Council.
In September 1890, less than two months before the general election, Republican U.S. Representative Edwin H. Conger
resigned his Congressional seat representing Iowa's 7th congressional district to accept President Benjamin Harrison's
appointment as United States Ambassador to Brazil
. Rather than making an interim appointment, Iowa Governor Horace Boies
added to the November 1890 election ballot a special election to chose an immediate successor to complete the final weeks of Conger's term. Hays was chosen as the Republican nominee for this special election. After winning the election on November 4, 1890 by 2,560 votes, he served in a second session that began in December 1890 and ended on March 3, 1891.
Returning from Washington, he resumed practicing law until his death in Knoxville, on February 28, 1896. He was interred in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, who briefly represented Iowa's 7th congressional district
Iowa's 7th congressional district
Iowa's 7th congressional district is a former congressional district in Iowa. It was eliminated after the 1970 election, leaving Iowa with six congressional districts. The state has since been reduced to five congressional districts.-Redistricting:...
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Biography
Born in Fostoria, OhioFostoria, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,931 people, 5,565 households, and 3,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,917.6 people per square mile . There were 6,024 housing units at an average density of 829.2 per square mile...
, Hays attended rural schools near Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin is a city in and the county seat of Seneca County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,135 at the 2000 census. The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Tiffin as a Tree City USA....
, as a child. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he served as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865.
Afterwards, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1869, commencing practice in Knoxville, Iowa
Knoxville, Iowa
Knoxville is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,731 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marion County. Knoxville is home of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum located next to the famous dirt track known as Knoxville Raceway.-History:The site for...
. He served on the local school board and on the City Council.
In September 1890, less than two months before the general election, Republican U.S. Representative Edwin H. Conger
Edwin H. Conger
Edwin Hurd Conger was an Civil War soldier, lawyer, banker, Iowa congressman, and United States diplomat. As the United States' minister to China during the Boxer Rebellion, Conger, his family, and other western diplomatic legations were under siege in Beijing until rescued by the China Relief...
resigned his Congressional seat representing Iowa's 7th congressional district to accept President Benjamin Harrison's
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
appointment as United States Ambassador to Brazil
United States Ambassador to Brazil
The following is a list of Ambassadors of the United States, or other chiefs of mission, to Brazil. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:...
. Rather than making an interim appointment, Iowa Governor Horace Boies
Horace Boies
Horace Boies served as the 14th Governor of Iowa from 1890 to 1894 as a member of the United States Democratic Party. Boies was the only Democrat to serve in that position from 1855-1933.- Life before Iowa :...
added to the November 1890 election ballot a special election to chose an immediate successor to complete the final weeks of Conger's term. Hays was chosen as the Republican nominee for this special election. After winning the election on November 4, 1890 by 2,560 votes, he served in a second session that began in December 1890 and ended on March 3, 1891.
Returning from Washington, he resumed practicing law until his death in Knoxville, on February 28, 1896. He was interred in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville.