Samuel M. Hay

Samuel McClellan Hay (August 7, 1825October 26, 1906) was an American businessman, banker, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer, prominent in the establishment and development of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was the fifth mayor of Oshkosh, and served one year each in the Wisconsin Senate (1862) and State Assembly (1858) representing Winnebago County. His name was often abbreviated as Early life Samuel M. Hay was born in Fairview Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, in August 1825. As a child, he worked on his father's farm in the summers and studied at the town schools in the winters. At age 15, his father paid for him to attend Allegheny College, but Hay declined and instead chose to pursue an apprenticeship in tin, copper, and iron working. After four years, he was a master tinsmith. Business career He came west to the Wisconsin Territory in 1845, arriving at Milwaukee by boat, and then moving to Whitewater. There he affiliated with S. C. Hall, a merchant who had previously moved to the territory from Erie County, Pennsylvania. Hay worked as a tradesman in Hall's factory and lived in Hall's home for three years. Hall's brother, , was a friend to Hay at the time, and Hay taught him the tinsmith trade.