 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Akaberekerwa muWashington County, Kentucky, Hays akadzidza mutemo muna 1845. Akapinda mumutemo wepachivande muSpringfield, Kentucky kubva muna 1845 kusvika muna 1851. Akanga ari mutongi wedunhu muWashington County kubva muna 1851 kusvika muna 1859. Hays akatangazve basa rake muSpringfield kubva muna 1859 kusvika muna 1860. Akanga ari nhengo yeKentucky House of Representatives muna 1861. Akanga ari muuto reUnited States semukuru mukuru kubva muna 1861 kusvika muna 1866. Pakurega basa kwemutungamiri wayo wokutanga, Hays akava mukuru mukuru we10th Kentucky Infantry. Mukati meHondo yeChickamauga, Hays akafungidzira kutungamira kweII Corps uye pakupedzisira kutungamira kwe2nd Division. Akakwira kuva mukuru mukuru. Mushure meHondo yeVanhu veAmerica, akanga ari State inspector general weKentucky kubva muna 1865 kusvika muna 1866. Akanga ari muzvinabhizimisi weoiri negasi muSpringfield kubva muna 1866 kusvika muna 1867 uye ari oga ikoko kubva muna 1867 kusvika muna 1879. 