Texas Ranger John Coffee “Jack” Hays was born in the community of Cedar Lick in Wilson County, Tennessee on January 28, 1817.
He moved to Mississippi in 1832 when he was just 15 to learn the trade of surveying but headed to Texas when the Revolution broke out. Arriving too late for the fighting, he joined a Ranger company serving under Erastus “Deaf” Smith. By 1840 Hays was a captain of the Rangers. He took part in several skirmishes–at Plum Creek, Canon de Ugalde, Bandera Pass, Painted Rock, Salado, and Walker’s Creek–and was especially effective in fighting raiding Indian warriors, whose ways were familiar to him. When not “rangering”, Hays served as deputy surveyor of the Bexar District around San Antonio.
During the Mexican War, Colonel Jack Hays earned respect as the commander of the First Regiment, Texas Mounted Riflemen…all before his 30th birthday.
Though Hays moved to California in the gold rush of 1849, we remember him as a Texas hero. It has been said “no officer ever possessed more completely the esteem, the confidence, and the love of his men.”
John Coffee Hays died on April 21, 1883 and remarked to others that is was San Jacinto Day.
Hays County in Texas is named in his honor.
Quite a legacy, wouldn’t you agree?
Teacher Tips:
Many heroes of history seemed to accomplish quite a lot at a young age.
- Talk with your students about why this might be.
- What character qualities might have helped Hays to early positions of responsibility and leadership?
- What would it look like to be accomplished as a teenager or 20-something?
- What would YOU like to accomplish?
