The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Eel River Township, page 573
Tobias D. Hays was born Jan. 16, 1846, in Carter County, East Tenn. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union service at Knoxville, East Tenn., in the Quartermaster's department, and served till the close of the war. In the spring of 1866 he came to Center Township, Hendricks, Co., Ind. He remained here but a short time when he removed to Boone County, and from there in a short time to Montgomery County, Ind., where he remained till 1869, working on a farm during the summer months and attending school at Crawfordsville in the winter. Thus by his own exertions he acquired a good education. Sept. 7, 1869, he was married to Harriet F. Brown, born Dec. 7, 1842, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of George and Martha Brown. Her parents came to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1846 remaining there till 1866 when they removed to Montgomery County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have two children--Charles M. and Joe F. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Hays with his wife returned to his native State where they remained till the spring of 1871. He then returned to Hendricks Co., Ind., where he now has a fine farm of 165 acres in Eel River Township, one-half mile east of North Salem. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.