by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

   Mr. Jay is a direct descendant of the Jay family of Revolutionary fame. He was born March 30, 1820, in Otsego County, N.Y. His grandfathers were in the Revolutionary war. His father's father was killed in the army. John Jay, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and second Minister to England, was his grandfather's brother. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Otsego County most of the time until he was fourteen years of age, when they removed to Cattaraugus County, remaining three years. At this time, they settled in Erie County, Penn., where he lived until 1842. Before moving West to reside permanently, he took a trip through the then Western States; was in Chicago in 1834. From this time until 1839, he was employed on merchant vessels on the lakes. Before leaving Erie County, Penn., in 1843, he learned blacksmithing. It was during this year that he removed to Michigan and worked at his trade. Mr. Jay resided in the latter State nine years. A portion of this time, he cultivated a farm. In 1852, he removed to Ogle County, Ill., where he was engaged in grading for the Illinois Central Railroad. Then he was employed in the hotel business until 1863, when he went to Denver, Colo. He crossed the plains with a wagon train of twelve horses and mules. There were three families in the company, and he made the distance from Omaha, Neb., to Denver, Colo., in sixteen days, and was complimented by the people of the latter place as having the best looking outfit that had arrived after so long a journey. He established a restaurant on F street, what is now Fifteenth street, where he remained some time before removing to Larimer street. His home was in Denver until 1869, when he removed his family to Sheridan, Kan. It was in 1867, that he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad in grading, and continued with the road until it united with the Central Pacific. After leaving this employment, he returned to Sheridan, Kan., where he bought a blacksmith shop and worked at his trade. At this he continued until he removed to Kit Carson, on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, in the spring of 1870. While a resident of Kit Carson, Mr. Jay was Sheriff of the county two years, and County Judge until the count of Greenwood was discontinued. He came to West Las Animas in October, 1873, at the time a branch of the Kansas Pacific Railroad was completed to the place, where he has remained until the present time. In 1877, Mr. Jay was elected County Judge, which office he held three years. While residing in Denver, he was Chief of Police in 1864 and 1865. Since coming to West Las Animas, he has been employed at his trade and in stock-raising. In both of these branches of industry he is now engaged.