James E. Hayes was the third Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....

from March 2, 1897 to February 8, 1898. Hayes was also a Democrat Massachusetts State Representative in 1893.

James E. Hayes was a Charlestown, Massachusetts lawyer. He represented District 3 of Suffolk County, Massachusetts in 1893.

He joined the Knights in Massachusetts in 1892 five years later he was elected Supreme Knight. During his time as a district deputy and state deputy, he presided over the institution of seventy-five councils.

On February 8, 1898 Hayes died from complications caused from peritonitis.