DAY, Aaron Harvey: 1834-1908

DAY, FOX, MCCULLOUGH, LEWIS, LOOFBOURROW

Posted By: Volunter: Sherri
Date: 5/1/2013 at 18:47:42

Aaron Harvey Day, son of Timothy and Elizabeth Edwards Day, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, May 14, 1838, and died at Keosauqua, Iowa, February 12, 1908, at the age of 69 years, 8 months and 28 days. He was one of a family of seven. The surviving members of the family are Mr. I.B. Day of Keosauqua; Mrs. Alma Whitaker of Santa Rosa, California, and Mrs. Eliza Culbertson, now in Ohio. Mr. Day's father was one of the very earliest settlers in this section of the country, coming first to the territory in 1835. Returning to Ohio, he again came west in 1837, and purchased from the government 3700 acres of land, in what was later known as Union and Cedar townships.

Timothy Day was a man of prominence in business life and he filled several public positions of honor and trust. He was a member of the convention of 1856-57 that framed the new constitution for the state of Iowa. He was a trustee of the Iowa State Agriculture College, and many years a member of the State Agricultural Society. During the greater part of his life, the home of A.H. Day was in Union and Cedar townships, where, like the father, he was an extensive farmer ans stock raiser. In company with his brother, I.B. Day, he dealt in fine cattle for upwards of 25 years. On the 16th February, 1864, he was married to Anna Fox, a Van Buren county lady. This happy union, lasting 38 years, was blessed with ten children, those now living being, Rhoda F., (Mrs. S.W. McCullough), of Keosauqua; Dr. Wm. R, of Moravia, Io.; Oliver L., of Fairfield, Io.; Timothy of Stockport, Io., and Albert of Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Day died at her home in Cedar township, Feb. 25, 1902.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Day came to Keosauqua with Mr. and Mrs. McCullough, and here he has since made his home. For some years our friend's health has been far from robust and for some time his appearance has indicated rapidly failing strength. He was mercifully spared lingering sickness however, and severe suffering. He was about the house until two or three days before his death. The end came very peacefully, at about half past 9 o'clock, Wednesday morning. The latest departure, under the summons of that Providence in whose hands are all human destinies, takes from our community a good citizen, a true friend, a man of sterling rectitude; and takes from this home and from a group of sorrowing children, grandchildren and other relatives, one very tenderly and deeply beloved. "Modest gentleness and humility," to borrow Shakespeare's phrase, did characterize the daily bearing of our friend.

His quiet, friendly manner was very winning; it told of the kindly heart within his breast. As I thik of Mr. Day as I have known him for a good many years, the thought impresses itself on my mind, that this would be a good world if all were like him in their ideas and their conduct. He was, it seems to me, very much a man of the Golden Rule, who meant to be just and fair with the world and to love his neighbor as himself. The funeral services, conducted by Mr. Day's pastor, Mr. Perkins, were held at the McCullough's home, Friday at 10 in the forenoon. Mesdames Manning, Duckworth, McCrary and Price of the Congregational church choir, sang, Miss Smith accompanying on the organ. The weather was very inclement and the country roads in very bad condition; but notwithstanding, a large number of Mr. Day's old friends and neighbors gathered to pay to his memory the last tribute of respect. All the children were (Present. INTERMENT Bentonsport Cemetery.**Handwritten at bottom**)

**I continue to research the DAY lineage.**

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 40, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA