John Hays may refer to: John Hays (businessman) (1949–2020), British businessman, founder of Hays Travel John Hays (sheriff) (1770 – after 1822), first known Jewish resident of Illinois, Sheriff of St. Clair County, Illinois; Indian agent John Coffee Hays (1817–1883), or "Jack" Hays, Texas Ranger, U.S. Army officer, first mayor of Oakland, California John H. Hays (1844–1904), American Civil War recipient of the Medal of Honor