Henry Blake Hays
Henry Blake Hays | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 10, 1881 (aged 51) Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Coal industry leader, railroad executive, military officer |
| Years active | 1861–1881 |
| Known for | Leadership in coal industry in Allegheny County; captain in 6th U.S. Cavalry during the American Civil War |
Henry Blake Hays (1829–1881) was a key leader in the coal industry within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Early life
He was born on August 12, 1829, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to Mary Cready and coal entrepreneur James H. Hays.
Military career
During the American Civil War, Hays held the rank of captain in the 6th U.S. Cavalry from 1861 until he stepped down in 1864.
Industrial career
Continuing his father’s work, Hays played a significant role in managing the family’s coal mining enterprises. He controlled the H.B. Hays and Brothers Coal Railroad, a narrow gauge line extending along Becks Run and Streets Run. Furthermore, he served as a director of the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railway, enhancing his impact on the transportation networks vital for coal shipment in the region.
On November 17, 1869, he wed Mary Howard in Pittsburgh, and together they had two children.
Hays passed away at his home in Allegheny County on August 10, 1881.