James B Hays

James Buchanan Hays (September 10, 1840 – May 31, 1888) was an American legislator and jurist.

Born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Hays moved with his family to Ashippun, Wisconsin Territory in 1847. He went to the University of Wisconsin and studied law in Horicon, Wisconsin. He served as Dodge County, Wisconsin Wisconsin Circuit Court clerk and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1865. While living in Juneau, Wisconsin, Hays served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1867. He then served as District Attorney of Dodge County, Wisconsin in 1874. In 1885, Hayes was appointed Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court. He died in Boise, Idaho Territory while still in office.