Samuel Snowden Hayes

Samuel Snowden Hayes
Member of theIllinois House of Representatives from the 7th district
In office 1848(1848)–1850(1850)
Preceded by	n/a
Succeeded by	Samuel H. Martin
Member of theIllinois House of Representatives fromWhite County
In office 1846(1846)–1848(1848)
Personal details
Born	(1820-12-25)December 25, 1820 Nashville,Tennessee
Died	January 28, 1880(1880-01-28)(aged 59) Chicago,Illinois
Resting place	Rosehill Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Attorney
Signature

Samuel Snowden Hayes(December 25, 1820 – January 28, 1880) was an American politician fromTennessee.Hayes moved toIllinoisafter a family tragedy and eventually established a successful law practice inCarmi.He became a prominent politician inWhite County,serving two terms in theIllinois House of Representativesand attending the 1848 state constitutional convention. He was a staunch supporter of theDemocratic Partyand often campaigned on their behalf. He moved toChicago, Illinoisin 1850 and became one of the city's leading Democratic voices preceding theCivil War.From 1858, he supportedStephen A. Douglasand championed him at the1860 Democratic National Convention.He was one of the three delegates on the United States Revenue Commission in 1865.

Biography

Samuel Snowden Hayes was born inNashville, Tennesseeon December 25, 1820. He descended from early American families from both his parents. His mother died in 1828 and the family moved toCincinnati, Ohiothree years later. In 1837, his father died when a servant poisoned a family meal witharsenic.To support his family, Hayes moved toLouisville, Kentuckyto work in a drug store as a clerk. The next year, he bought a stock of pharmaceuticals and moved west toShawneetown, Illinoisto open his own shop. He sold his shop after two years and used the proceeds to fund an education in law. He studied at the Henry Eddy; futureUS RepresentativeSamuel S. Marshallwas a fellow student there at the time.

Hayes was admitted to the bar in 1842 and moved toMount Vernon, Illinoisto practice. After a short term there, he opened a practice inCarmi, Illinois.He took an interest in politics and canvassed Southern Illinois in favor ofDemocratJames K. Polkfor the1844 presidential election.He attended the 1845 commercial convention inMemphis, Tennesseeand drew acclaim for his critique ofJohn C. Calhoun.

Hayes was elected to theIllinois House of Representativesin 1846 and served two two-year terms. In 1847, Hayes was a delegate to theIllinois State Constitutional Convention of 1847,where he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Law Reform. Hayes again canvassed Southern Illinois for the Democratic Party in 1848, supportingLewis Cassfor President. He was apresidential electorfor that election.Governor of IllinoisAugustus C. Frenchnamed Hayes an honorary Colonel, an advisory position.

In the winter of 1850, with his second legislature term expired, Hayes moved toChicago, Illinoisto open a law practice. Shortly after his arrival, he was named Counselor and City Solicitor. Hayes campaigned against theKansas–Nebraska Actin 1854, but did not break from supporting the Democratic Party, supportingJames Buchananin the1856 presidential election.

After Buchanan supported slave state status for Kansas in 1858, Hayes shifted his support toStephen A. Douglasand remained his close political ally. He supported Douglas as a delegate to the two1860 Democratic National Conventions.Like Douglas, Hayes supported reconciliation with the South after the election ofAbraham Lincolnand supported the Union when theAmerican Civil Warbroke out months later. Hayes was named City Comptroller of Chicago in 1862, retiring three years later. He then served withDavid Ames WellsandStephen Colwellon the United States Revenue Commission, a group empowered to investigate how to raise revenue to cover expenses from the war. Hayes was a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1870.

Hayes married Lizzie J. Taylor, the eldest daughter ofEdmund Dick Taylor,around 1850.He served multiple terms on theChicago Board of Education.An elementary school in the city was later named after him.He was a trustee of theIllinois Industrial Universityfrom 1867 to 1870.

Hayes died at his home in Chicago on January 28, 1880, and was buried atRosehill Cemetery.

Hayes Drive inJackson Parkwas named for him.