David Hay, one of the charter members of St. Paul’s congregation, was born in Brothersvalley, September 3, 1814, and died at his home in Elk Lick Township, April 14, 1878. He was a son of Peter S. and Elizabeth Hay. Prior to his locating in Elk Lick Township, he operated a grist mill in Brothersvalley, and also taught School.
Mr. Hay was twice married. His first wife was Miss Polly Cook, who died in 1850. Two years later he married Mrs. Mary A. Boose. By his first marriage, he had two children: Wm. H. and Calvin T. Hay; by his second, one son, Norman D. Hay.
Mr. Hay was a friend of Education and served his community as School Director. He was a member of the State Assembly, being elected on the Whig Ticket in 1857. In politics he was a Democrat, and took an active part in advancing the interest of his party.
While Mr. Hay was active in various lines of activity, he was closely identified with the work of the Reformed Church all his life. He was the first Deacon of St. Paul’s, and for a number of years served as Elder. When the brick Church was built, he not only contributed $2,000 towards its erection, but he was Chairman of the Building Committee. Before his death, he requested that his heirs set apart $1,000 for a Poor Fund, which was done. He enjoyed the confidence of the Wilhelms, acting as their Business Advisor and assisting them in financial undertakings.
Mrs. Mary A. Hay, was born in 1825, and was a daughter of John Rauch, of Brother’s Valley Township. Her great-grandfather, Jacob George Rauch, came from Hagerstown, Maryland, and settled in Brother’s Valley in 1871. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace. Her grandfather, John Rauch, was a Veteran of the War of 1812. Her father, also John Rauch, was a farmer in Brother’s Valley and served one term as County Commissioner.
In 1846, Mrs. Hay united in marriage with John Boose, who died the following year. To them was born one son, John R. Boose, who resides in Somerset. In 1852 she was married to David Hay, to whom was born one son, Norman D. Hay.
Mrs. Hay was a tireless worker and was a woman of versatile mind. The fine brick House which adorns the Hay Farm was built from plans furnished by Mrs. Hay; and the garden beds as laid out by her have been preserved in the same artistic manner in which she planned them.
Mrs. Hay was reared a Lutheran, in which Church she held her membership until 1897, when she transferred it to St. Paul’s, with the work of which Church she had been closely identified for half a century. She died August 1, 1903, and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
