Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 303.
 
O. W. HAYS

     In one of the most exacting of all callings O. W. Hays, the able and
efficient superintendent of the schools of Cottage Grove, has attained
distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful educators in the
Willamette Valley. He is a well educated, symmetrically developed man, and his
splendid work has brought him prominently before the public, with the result
that there has been a demand for his services where a high standard of
professional excellence is required. O. W. Hays was born in Canon county, Idaho,
in 1891, and is a son of I. J. and Alice (Bennet) Hays, the former a native of
Illinois and the latter of Missouri. About 1884 they went to Idaho where the
father engaged in farming and also taught music. In 1906 the family came to Lane
county, Oregon, where the father farmed for some years, but is now retired and
lives in Ashland, Jackson county.
     O. W. Hays completed the public school course and graduated from the Oregon
Normal School in 1918. He then entered the University of Oregon, from which he
was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1920. In addition he has
since taken two summer courses at the university, Mr. Hays began teaching in
1912 at Mapleton, Oregon, serving as principal of the school, and has taught
continuously since with the exception of the time spent in college. He assisted
for two years in the physics department of the University of Oregon and in 1921
came to Cottage Grove as superintendent of the schools, his work here proving so
satisfactory that he has been retained in that position to the present time. He
has devoted himself indefatigably to the interests of the schools, the results
of his efforts speaking for themselves. During his administration the gymnasium
has been built, the domestic science and vocational and agriculture departments
have been established, and music and a commercial course have been added to the
regular curriculum. Mr. Hays has under his supervision one thousand and sixty
pupils, two hundred and twenty of whom are in the high school, while thirty-one
teachers are employed, statistics showing an increase of 40 per cent since Mr.
Hays took charge. He is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and studious habits,
keeps abreast of the times in advanced educational methods, and has won a warm
place in the regard of the patrons of the schools because of his helpful
interest in the welfare of the pupils. He is the owner of a fine farm of three
hundred and thirty acres near Eugene.
     In 1914 Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hill, of Minnesota,
and they are the parents of two children, Evelyn and Mary Eleanor, Mr. Hays
gives his political support to the republican party and his religious connection
is with the Christian church. He is a Mason, belonging to blue lodge and
chapter, in the work of which he takes a great interest. Cordial and unassuming
in manner, kindly and sympathetic in his relations with the student body, in
whose welfare his interests are centered, he has won to a marked degree the
confidence and respect of his fellow citizens and is regarded as one of the
representative men of his locality.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2012 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.