Individual Details

Delayed Arkansas Birth Certificate #2154 was born 4 Nov 1889, Van Buren, Crawford, AR. Her father was John Jefferson Hays, age 33, b. Clarksville, AR, a farmer. Mother was Philena Josephine Allen, age 33, b. Cove, AR (Polk County). She was the 7th child born to the mother [There are two unidentified children who must have died as infants]. Total children living, 4. Born at 10 PM. Signed by John J. Hays, 711 Drennan St., Van Buren, 1 Mar 1943. Affidavit signed by John J. Hays, 18 Dec 1944.

Aunt Minnie may have been born Cove City which is in Crawford County. Minnie's bio written when she received the Poineer Citizen's Award stated that she was born in the old Seventy-Two Community near Van Buren, now Rena. At the age of 12 she moved with the family to Uniontown.

Obituaries, Death Notices & News Items Extracted from the Van Buren Press 1909 Compiled by Fran Alverson Warren, p.15-16
10 Apr 1909 Tenth Annual Commencement of Uniontown High School to be Friday, April 16. Admission 15 cents.
Listed as starring in two short plays, "The Minister's Wife" and "A Case of Suspension" was Minnie Hays.

Obituaries, Death Notices & News Items Extracted from the Van Buren Press 1910 Compiled by Fran Alverson Warren, p.32-33
The Crawford County Singing Association met at Figure Four School House, Sunday, July 17, 1910. Miss Minnie Hays was elected Organist.

Obituaries, Death Notices & News Items Extracted from the Van Buren Press Argus 1916 Fran Alverson Warren, p.22-24
28 Jul 1916 Uniontown High School made the 18th Annual announcement of the school and gave its history - there had been 150 common school graduates and 50 first year high school graduates and several had completed the two year High School course. Among the latter were Miss Minnie Hays, vocal & instrumental music teacher of Van Buren, and Ira Comstock of the firm of Comstock & Rainwater Stock Co. of Oklahoma. All of the faculty were graduates - the principal was Gratis Comstock who had graduated in 1905 and taken a post-graduate course, and the primary teacher was Miss Edna Comstock who graduated in 1915 - Ira's younger sister.


The marriage record shows Ira V. Comstock as living in Fort Smith, age 26 - Minnie Hays was living in Van Buren, age 28. They were married by J. T. McClure, on 20 Oct 1918, Crawford Co.

Aunt Minnie and Uncle Ira helped raise Nora and Kenney's five children and served as an extra set of grandparents to Kay as she was growing up.

On 21 Apr 1974, Minnie Comstock was awarded the Pioneer-Heritage Award by the Crawford County Historical Society. [I have a copy of the speech made when the award was presented.]

From the Van Buren PRESS ARGUS:
Mrs. Minnie H. Comstock, 93-year-old Van Buren resident who has been a member of the Wood Memorial Christian Church here for more than 60 years, was recognized by the Rev. William H. Bradley, pastor, at the 135th Anniversary Celebration of that church on Sun.,Mar 13, as being the oldest living member of that church.
The Rev. Bradley cited Mrs. Comstock as a faithful worker and leader in many phases of the church who was ready at all times to perform her "Christian talents in a sincere and faithful Christian way."
Several years ago, Mrs. Comstock along with her husband, the late Ira Comstock, was presented a gold plate for 50 years of service as choir director, Sunday School teacher and church Treasurer.
On hand for the occasion were Mrs. Comstock's nephew, K. M. Comstock and wife, and her niece, Mrs. J. Ellen Comstock McKim, who are members of the family of Mrs. Comstock's older sister, Nora & Kenney Comstock, all of Springdale.
All were active members of Wood Memorial Christian Church at one time.
Picture taken on the front steps of the church. Probably 1983, if they had her age right.

3 Jul 1985 Mrs. Minnie Hay Comstock, 95, of Van Buren died July 2 in Van Buren. She was a former school teacher and lifelong resident of Crawford County. She was a past Grand Chaplain of Arkansas Eastern Star Chapter. She was a member of the Christian Church and several civic organizations.
Survivors include several nieces and nephew, including Mrs. Jo Ellen McKim and Kenney Comstock of Springdale.
Services were today at Wood Memorial Christian Church in Van Buren. Burial was at Gracelawn Cemetery. Arrangements were Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.

Birth	4 Nov 1889	Crawford County, Arkansas
Marriage	20 Oct 1918	Crawford County, Arkansas - Ira Vard Comstock
Death	2 Jul 1985	Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas

Spouse

Ira Vard Comstock (1892 - 1968)

Father	JOHN JEFFERSON HAYS (1856 - 1950)
Mother	PHILENA JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" ALLEN (1856 - 1935)
Sibling	William Henry "Will" Hays (1878 - 1922)
Sibling	Mattie Rowena Hays (1882 - 1962)
Sibling	Bennie Augusta Hays (1885 - 1886)
Sibling	NORA LEE HAYS (1887 - 1973)
Sibling	Arthur Wallace Hays (1892 - 1961)