Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Pete Hayes

Peter Joseph “Pete” Hayes was born on March 1, 1902, Brooklyn, New York, according to his World War II draft card. 

The 1905 New York state census said Hayes was the third of four children born to Timothy, an Irish immigrant, and Elizabeth. They were Brooklyn residents at 206 Bridge Street. In the 1910 United States Census, the Hayes family lived at 281 Gold Street in Brooklyn. Hayes father was a compounder of liquor. The 1915 New York state census recorded a new address, 184 Duffield Street, for the Hayes family. 

According to the 1920 census, Hayes was a newspaper artist. He lived with his parents and siblings at 359 Jay Street in Brooklyn. Information about his art training has not been found.

Hayes drew an unknown number of strips for Sam Iger’s Paramount Newspaper Feature Service. Hayes’ strips were reprinted in the Drugstore Cowboys series. American Newspaper Comics (2012) said the Paramount Newspaper Feature Service also distributed Iger’s The Gang, Larry Silverman’s In Jungle Land, Geoff Hayes’ After the Honeymoon, Gus Standard’s Ham and Beans, Louise Hirsch’s Charlie Chirps and Tessie Tish, Jack Ward’s Flaming Youth, and Frank Little’s Spike and Sam. 

Roanoke Rapids Herald (NC) 2/23/1933

Roanoke Rapids Herald (NC) 3/9/1933

The 1930 census counted Hayes, his parents and siblings in Brooklyn at 162 Wyckoff Street. Hayes was a newspaper cartoonist. His father passed away on February 12, 1938. 

The 1940 census said Hayes worked at the Journal-American newspaper where he earned $2,000 in 1939. His highest level of education was the 7th grade. Hayes lived with his widow mother at 137 Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. 

On February 16, 1942, Hayes signed his World War II draft card. His address was the same. Hayes worked in the art department of the New York Journal-American. He was described as five feet ten inches, 140 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. 

It’s not clear what became of Hayes. There was a “Peter Hays” who passed away on January 3, 1947 in Brooklyn. The 1950 census counted a “Peter Hayes” who was about the same age, single and born in New York but employed as a longshoreman who lived in Manhattan at 264 West 19th Street.