Biographies H
Marcellus C. Hay
Marcellus C. Hay, a leading attorney of Greenville, was born January 17, 1839, in Muhlenberg Co., Kentucky, four miles east of Greenville. He is the third of seven children born to Wiley S. and Isaphene (Robertson) Hay, natives of North Carolina and Muhlenberg County respectively, and on the father's side of Scotch descent. Wiley S. Hay was the son of Kinnard Hay, who married Edith moore, a native of North Carolina. Subject's mother was the daughter of David Robertson, who married Rachael Dennis, whose people were among the first settlers of Muhlenberg County were here when the county was organized. Wiley S. Hay was a member of the Kentucky legislature two terms, one term in the senate.
Marcellus C. was reared on a farm, and received a good English education. At the age of fourteen, he engaged as a clerk in the mercantile business, which business he continued for twenty years in Greenville. In 1874 he commenced the study of the law. From 1868 to 1883 he was master in chancery and _____ of the circuit court of Muhlenberg County. In June, 1882, he organized the Bank of Greenville, and became its president.
In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Kentucky, Confederate States army, under Capt. Mitchell, Thomas H. Hunt, colonel commanding; was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded in the right leg; was captured and taken to St. Louis; took a non combatant parole, in July, 1862; he was an orderly. He returned to his home where he has since remained.
He was married December, 1864, to Sallie Brizendine, of Logan County, Ky., daughter of Bowler and Mary (Yost) Brizendine, natives of Logan County. To this union were born two children: Annie L. and Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Hay are Presbyterians. He is a member of the K. of H.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 906.
Updated July 9, 2018