Ben Day

DAY, DRAKE, HOLMES, MCCAIN, PAGE, REDDEN SPURGEON, TISSUE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/27/2004 at 15:17:50

The excellent condition of his farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 5, Scott township, testifies to the efficiency and energy of Ben Day who was born in Henry county, Illinois, November 18, 1869. James Day, his father was born in England but in early manhood emigrated to America, being accompanied by his sister. He had been a coachman and hostler in England but after coming to this country he gave his attention chiefly to farming. He first settled in New Jersey, where he was married, but at length came westward and for ten years lived in Henry, Bureau and Livingston counties, Illinois. His last years were spent with a daughter at Tiskilwa, that state, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who was before her marriage Miss Jane Redden, was born in New Jersey and died at Tiskilwa, Illinois, when seventy-six years old. Those of their eleven children who still survive are as follows: George, who resides in Story county, Iowa; Emma, the wife of R. Drake of Tiskilwa, Illinois; Lizzie, who married A. J. Page, of Nevada, Iowa- William who is residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ben, of this review Ed whose home is m Waterloo, Iowa; Charles, of Tiskilwa, Illinois; and Mary, the wife of James Tissue, of Springfield, Illinois.

As there was a large family and as he felt that he did not wish to remain a burden upon his father any longer than was necessary, Ben Day asked to be allowed to earn his own way when he was but eleven years of age, and accordingly left home and began working by the month in Bureau county, Illinois. He was so employed in that county and in Story county, Iowa, for eleven years. At the end of that time he rented land in Story county, which he operated successfully. In 1907 he arrived in Madison county and bought eighty acres of improved land in Ohio township. Five years later he traded that land in on one hundred and forty acres in Scott township, which was known as the Theodore Cox farm. The place was splendidly improved when it came into the possession of Mr. Day but he has still further developed it and takes pride in its neat, attractive appearance. He does general farming, finding that more profitable than specializing along any one line. He is rightly numbered among the progressive and well-to-do farmers of the county, and his success is due entirely to his industry and good management.

On the 7th of December, 1892, Mr. Day married Miss Jennie McCain, who was born in Story county, Iowa, a daughter of John McCain, whose birth occurred in Ohio. Her paternal grandparents were William and Isabel McCain, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The grandfather removed from Ohio to Story county, this state, in an early day and entered land from the government. John McCain was married three times and had children by all of his unions. His second wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Jane Spurgeon, was the mother of Mrs. Day and passed away when her daughter was but a child. The other children born of the union of John and Jane (Spurgeon) McCain were William, Samuel, John Neal, Van Burt and Nettie. Mrs. Day was reared by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Page, of Nevada, Iowa, who gave her the same loving care as if she had been their own child. Mr. and Mrs. Day have had five children, four of whom are living: Lydia, the wife of Ernie Holmes, of Truro, Iowa; and Virgil De Loss, Myrtle M. and Russell B., all at home and Leota who died in infancy.

Mr. Day is a republican and has served acceptably as a member of the school board. He manifests a laudable interest in public affairs and since coming to this county has taken his place among its public-spirited and valued citizens. He is indeed a self-made man as since the early age of eleven years he has depended upon his own resources and his present prosperity is proof of his ability.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915, “