Delbert C. Hays
The photographic art has made great strides in the past few years, and the development of this art from the time the first daguerreotype was put on the market down to the present time has kept pace with the advance of other arts and sciences. The development of the camera and kodak has been so rapid that the dealers have hardly been able to keep up with the many changes. At the present time hardly a town or city of any size but what handles kodaks of some kind and thousands of amateur photographers are found scattered throughout the United States. With all of this development it is not to be wondered at that the professional photographer has seen his business increased by leaps and bounds. The desires to have the pictures of our relatives and friends was never as strong as it is today, and with the increased production of photographic supplies, the product has fallen to such a price that good pictures are within the reach of all. One of the photographers of Washington C H. who is attaining an enviable reputation in his particular line is Delbert C. Hays, who has maintained a studio in this city for the past seven years.
Delbert C. Hays, the son of George D. and Lucy M. (Williams) Hays, was born in Paint township, this county, March 23, 1883. His parents were both natives of this county, and his father is still operating a farm in Paint township, although he is now living in Washington C. H., where he has resided for the past thirty years. For several years he was engaged in the coal and ice business in this city, but is now in active charge of his farm, although not living on it. George D. Hays is the son of Hackney Hays, an early settler in Fayette county. Hackney Hays and his wife were the parents of a large family of children, Lynn, Morgan. George D., James S., Mrs. Ellen Mallow, Mrs. Almira Thompson and Mrs. Martha McCoy. All of these children, except Lynn and Morgan, are still living. The parents of Mrs. George D. Hays were H. B. Williams and wife, also early settlers in this county. H. B. Williams was twice married, his first wife having died many years ago, after which he married again, and to the second union three children were born, Burton. Alice and Fanny. There were two children by the first marriage, Jay G. and Lucy M.
Delbert C. Hays was reared in Washington C. H. and, after finishing the course in the public schools of this city, began the study of photography, and has made this his life work. In 1907 he opened a studio of his own, and for the past seven years has been located at the corner of Court and Main streets. His studio is equipped with all of the latest and most approved cameras and accessories, enabling him to give his patrons all of the latest designs in the photographic art. Being a man of artistic tastes and genial disposition, he has built up a large patronage in the city and county, and has the satisfaction of seeing his business increase from year to year.
Politically, Mr. Hays is identified with the Progressive party, having cast his fortunes with that party upon its organization in the fall of 1912. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and has attained to the chapter and commandery degrees. Mr. Hays is still a young man and has so conducted himself thus far as to merit the hearty approval of his many friends and neighbors.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)