Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Wesley W. Day
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
WESLEY W. DAY, an agriculturist residing
on section 17, Ridge Township, Dickinson
County, where he has made his home for
sixteen years, claims Indiana as the State of his nativity.
He was born in Shelby County, on the 10th
of June, 1841. For many generations his ancestors
have resided in the United Stales, the families having
been established here during Colonial days.
His parents, William and Mary (Dennis) Day, were
both natives of Maryland, and unto them were
born four children. The father died in 1874, at
the age of eighty-two years, and the mother passed
away in 1872, at the age of seventy-four years.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood
days upon the home farm, giving his father the
benefit of his labors until he had attained his majority,
when he donned the blue and marched to
the front as a defender of the Union. He enlisted
on the 12th of August, 1802, as a member of
Company F, Seventieth Indiana Infantry, and went to
Bowling Green, Ky., being first engaged in battle
battle
in Russellville. He afterward went to Scottsville,
Ky., then to Gallatin and La Verne, Tenn.,
and afterward to Murfreesboro. He also participated
in the battles of Nashville and Chattanooga,
and those of the Atlanta campaign. At Resacahe
was wounded in the thigh by a minie-ball, and
was taken to Chattanooga, and afterward to Nashville,
where he lay in the hospital for five weeks.
He then rejoined his regiment at Chattahoochie
River, and on the 20th of July participated in the
battle of Peach Tree Creek; subsequently he aided
in the capture of Atlanta, and then marched with
Sherman to the sea. Later he took part in the
battles of Savannah, Goldsboro and Raleigh, was
present at the surrender of Johnston, and thence
marched to Washington, D. C, where he participated
in the Grand Review, the most brilliant military
pageant ever seen on the Western Hemisphere.
On the 8th of June, 1865, he was mustered out,
after three years of faithful service. He had the
distinction of serving under President Harrison,
who was the colonel in command of his regiment,
and he went to the Capitol City in 1889 to witness
the ceremonies which made his old commander the
chief magistrate of the nation.
When the war was over Mr. Day returned to
Shelby County, Ind., where he rented land and
embarked in farming for himself. He was married
on the 12th of December, 1866, to Louisa A. Rohm,
daughter of John and Nancy Rohm. The lady
was born in Ohio, January 4, 1848. The family
circle numbers six children: Olive, who was born
June 6, 1868, and is engaged in teaching school;
Frank, born January 3, 1871; Albert L., September
12, 1874; Clara, March 19, 1878; Charles W., September
24, 1880; and Clarence Harrison, October
22, 1888.
Mr. Day continued to rent land and engage in
farming in Indiana until 1876, which year witnessed
his arrival in Kansas. Since that time
he has resided upon his present farm on section
17, Ridge Township. He purchased one hundred
acres of the National Land Company, upon which
not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement
made, but with characteristic energy he began its
development, and now has a very desirable place
under a high stale of cultivation and supplied
with all the accessories of a model farm. In connection
with general farming he runs a threshing machine
each season.
Mr. and Mrs. Day are worthy and highly respected
people. That his fellow-townsmen appreciate
his worth and ability is evinced by the fact that
for seven years he has been called upon to fill the
office of Justice of the Peace, and for three years
has served as Town Treasurer. He is quite a prominent
member of the Methodist Church, in which
he holds the office of Steward, and the life he lives
is in harmony with his professions. His public
and private career are alike above reproach. In
regard to his social relations, Mr. Day is a member
of Hope Post No. 395, G. A. R., and of the Knights
of Pythias.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP