Mitchell E. Hays

     Mitchell was born in Mercer, PA, on Feb 21, 1829.^{3,1,4,5,2,6,7,8,9,10}
     Mary, William, Mary, Jane, Mitchell, John, Israel, Maria, Alexander, Martha and James was listed as a household member living with James Hays on the 1850 Census in Pymatuning Township, Mercer Co, PA.¹¹
     He married Harriett Electa Bowen in Mercer, PA, on Apr 24, 1855.^3,12,5,2,7,9
     Mitchell was listed as the head of a family on the 1860 Census in Bellevue Township, Jackson Co, OH. Mitchel was a blacksmith. His real estate was valued at $75, his personal property at $110..¹³
     Mitchell was listed as the head of a family on the 1870 Census in Shellrock Township, Butler Co, IA. Mitchell was a farmer, with $1700 in real property and 600 in personal property. Mary, James, Ida, Rachel and John were in school.⁹
     They moved in Nov, 1877 to 1 mile southeast of town, Smith Centre, Smith Co, KS. (James Hays' obituary says move occurred in 1872. Mitchell's obituary says 1878. Belle's obituary says move occurred when she was 2, which would be in 10/87-10/88 range. Elmer's obituary says July 1877. Ida's obituary says November 23, 1877.) The family came in a covered wagon..^{14,15,16,2,17,18,19,20,21,22}
     He bought property from J. A. Burrow in Smith Co, KS, on Dec 4, 1877. The land was described as 160 acres in the SW 1/4 of Section 28 in Township 3, Range 13. The price was $500.²³
     Mitchell was listed as the head of a family on the 1880 Census in Centre Township, Smith Co, KS. Mitchell was a farmer..²⁴
     On Dec 20, 1884, Mitchell E. Hays received a Patent on land he earned by satisfying the requirements of the Homestead Act of 1862, including living on the land for five years, building a residence, and growing crops. The land was described as 160 acres of the SE 1/4 of Section 28 in Township 3 South of Range Thirteen West of the Sixth Principal Meridian. The patent was recorded in the Smith County courthouse on December 7, 1885.²⁵
     A census listed Mitchell as head of household in Centre Township, Smith Co, KS, in 1885. An S.E. Wence, 16, female, is also listed as a resident. Mitchell is a farmer, with 320 acres under fence. The farm is worth $5,000; the machinery, $100. In fall 1884, they planted 25 acres of winter wheat and 30 of rye. In spring 1885, they planted 35 acres of corn, 8 of oats, 1/2 of Irish potatoes, and 8 of millet. In the year ending March 1, 1885, they made 300 pounds of butter. They have 2 horses, 2 mules/asses, 1 milch cow, 4 other cattle, and 20 swine. They have 20 apple, 7 peach, and 1 cherry trees in bearing; 50 apple, 2 pear, and 12 cherry tree not in bearing. They have 1 dog. They have 1/4 acre of maple trees 1 year and over, and 1 acre of cottonwood trees. (Agriculture schedule, pg 2, line 12).²⁶
     He sold property to James "Jim" Peleg Hays in Smith Co, KS, on Aug 22, 1891. The property was described as the E 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 28 of Township 3S Range 13W. The price was $800 plus Jim assumed $425 of the $850 mortgage.²⁷
     He sold property to Mitchell Elmer Hays in Smith Co, KS, on Aug 22, 1891. The land was described as the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 28 Township 3S in Range 13W. The purchase price was $800 plus the assumption of half of a $850 mortgage on the land.²⁸
     
     A census listed Mitchell as head of household in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS, in 1895. Mitchell is a farmer. The next family listed is Elmer and Emma..^4,29
     Mitchell was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS. Harriet is described as having borne 9 children, with 7 still living. Mitchel is not given an occupation; Oscar is listed as a farmer. Oscar is said to be married 5 years, but no wife is listed. They own their home, no mortgage..^3,7
     They moved circa 1900 to Smith Center, Smith Co, KS. Mitchell and Harriet moved from their farm one mile south of town into Smith Center..²
     A census listed Mitchell as head of household in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS, in 1905. Also resident -- Charles Movre (sp?), 26, male, from KS..³⁰
     Mitchell was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS. Harriett has borne 9 children, 6 of whom are still living. They own their home. Mitchell is blind in one eye..^31,32
     Mitchell died on Mar 2, 1913 in home, Smith Center, Smith Co, KS, at age 84. Paralytic attack.^2,10 His body was interred on Mar 2, 1913 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, Smith Co, KS.^2,33,10 His funeral was held in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS, on Mar 3, 1913. The funeral was conducted at the house at 2 pm, by Rev. W. E. Robb of the Christian Church..² An obituary was published on Mar 6, 1913 in the Smith County Journal in Smith Center, Smith Co, KS.²