Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 274.
 
POLK E. MAYS

     who has been postmaster of Joseph since 1910, was born in Wasco county,
this state, on the 2d of January, 1879, and is a son of Benton and Lizzie
(Parker) Mays. The parents are both natives of the state of Illinois, whence
they crossed the plains to Oregon with their parents in childhood. The Mays
family came west in 1852, locating in Lane county, but later removed to Wasco
county, Where the paternal grandfather acquired a large ranch. The Parkers came
to the northwest shortly after the Mays located here and settled in the
Willamette valley, but later they, too, removed to Wasco county, and were living
there when their daughter became the wife of Benton Mays. After their marriage
the young people settled on the Mays ranch and there they passed the first
fourteen or fifteen years of their domestic life. In 1889, the father came to
Wallowa county, purchasing a ranch on Swamp creek and engaging in stock-raising
until 1900. Disposing of his place he subsequently removed to Lostine, going
from there to The Dalles two years later. He has retired from active life and is
now enjoying the ease and comfort earned through well spent and intelligently
directed efforts and both he and his wife continue to make their home in The
Dalles.
     Reared on his father's ranch, in the acquirement of an education, Polk E.
Mays attended the public schools and the Portland Business College, being
graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1901. Returning to
Lostine he became associated with his brother, O. F. Mays, in establishing a
hardware store that they conducted under the firm name of Mays Brothers.
Although this proved to be a remunerative undertaking, they disposed of it at
the expiration of a year to advantage, and engaged in the livery business there.
In connection with their business they operated a ranch of one hundred and sixty
acres, located a mile and a half from town. In 1904 they disposed of these
interests and Polk E. Mays went to work for his uncle, Polk Mays, a prominent
citizen of Wallowa county, assisting him in the operation of his large ranch
located in the vicinity of Joseph. In the meantime he had qualified for the
civil service examination, which he bad successfully passed, and in November,
1906, entered the government service in the capacity of a railway postal clerk.
He served in this capacity for four years, resigning at the end of that time
because he had been appointed postmaster of Joseph. For more than a year he has
been identified with the latter office, discharging his duties in a manner
highly satisfactory to the citizens at large.
     Mr. Mays is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, being a member of Lostine Lodge, No. 153. His political views accord
with the principles of the republican party, to whose candidates he gives his
unqualified indorsement, but he has never actively participated in municipal
affairs. He is highly regarded in Joseph and has many loyal and stanch friends
among the business men, who appreciate his fine principles and upright
standards. As a public official he has been found faithful and efficient, while
his business transactions are conducted in such a manner as to leave no doubt as
to his integrity and honorable intentions.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.