Edward R. Hays

For other people with the same name, see Edward Hays (disambiguation).

Edward Retilla Hays (May 26, 1847 – February 28, 1896) 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.

Edward R. Hays
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 7th district
In office November 4, 1890 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	Edwin H. Conger
Succeeded by	John A. T. Hull
Personal details
Born	Edward Retilla Hays (1847-05-26)May 26, 1847 Fostoria, Ohio, US
Died	February 28, 1896(1896-02-28) (aged 48) Knoxville, Iowa, US
Occupation	Lawyer
Military service
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	Private
Unit	1st Ohio Heavy Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars	Civil War

Biography

Born in Fostoria, Ohio, 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.^[1]

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. Iowa Governor Horace Boies added to the already-scheduled November 1890 election ballot a special election to choose an immediate successor who would complete the final months of Conger's term.^[2] Hays was chosen as the Republican nominee for this special election. After winning the election on November 4, 1890 by 2,560 votes,^[3] 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.

References

1. "The Death of Hon. E.R. Hays," Iowa State Register, 1896-02-28, at p. 8.
2. Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, 1890-09-30 at p. 2.
3. Waterloo Courier, 1890-12-10 at p. 4.

External links

• Biography portal
• American Civil War portal

• United States Congress. "Edward R. Hays (id: H000404)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-10-10

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Edwin H. Conger	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 7th congressional district November 4, 1890 – March 3, 1891 (obsolete district)	Succeeded by John A. T. Hull