Born in Washington County, Kentucky, Hays read law in 1845.
[2] Following the American Civil War, he was State inspector general of Kentucky from 1865 to 1866.
[1] Hays received a recess appointment from President Rutherford B. Hayes on September 6, 1879, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Kentucky vacated by Judge Bland Ballard.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 10, 1879, and received his commission the same day.
His service terminated on March 7, 1880, due to his death in Louisville, Kentucky.