Day, Nathan Axtel (1842 - 1895)

DAY, FARRABEE, STOCK

Posted By: Amy Butler
Date: 8/13/2013 at 13:45:22

Atlantic Weekly Telegraph
27 February 1895

Obituary – Nathan Axtel Day

Nathan Axtel Day, the subject of this sketch, was born August 1,1842, near Prosperity, Washington county, Pennsylvania. His death occurred on Saturday, February 23,1895, at his home two miles south of this city, Congestion of the brain was the cause of his death, and partially the result of an accident which befel him a few weeks prior to his decease.

His parents died when he was about 11 years of age, and the boy Nathan was "bound out" to a neighboring farmer, but was permitted to learn the trade of a tanner. When the rebels fired upon Fori Sumter he responded to President Lincoln's call for volunteers and enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Served two years, taking part in Gen. McClellan's peninsular campaign. He received injuries at Malvern Hill, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. Was taken prisoner and for a time confined in Libby and other rebel prisons. Early in 1863, being discharged on account of disability, he returned home. His love for the old flag, however, would not allow him to remain at home long and he soon enlisted again—this time in the Sixth Pennsylvania provisional cavalry, and started with his regiment for the Rio Grande river. While en route to the latter named field of action, his regiment was halted at Louisville, Kentucky, and was soon after disbanded.

In I860 deceased was married to Miss Sarah C. Farrabee, a worthy young woman of Muskingum county, Ohio. The young couple came west at once and for one year resided in Lee county this state, when they moved to Henry county, where they remained five years, going from there to College Springs, Page county, where Mrs. Day died on June 28,1873.

The following year deceased came to Cass county, bought a quarter section of prairie land, erected a shanty and entered upon the work which resulted in the development of one of those fine farms for which Franklin township is noted. For awhile, with his little son Thomas Hugh, now dead, he labored faithfully alone. But in 1878 he was married to Miss Anna D. Stock, a worthy woman, who proved to be a loving wife, an affectionate mother and a true helpmeet. In 1892 deceased sold his farm in Franklin township and purchased another near Atlantic, where he resided at the time of his death.

It is perhaps difficult for a friend to speak of the virtues of one gone before without magnifying them. This we do not wish to do, nor do we. True noblemen are not the commonest things met within everyday life. In fact, they may be said to be exceedingly scarce. We could not do the subject of this sketch justice if we did not class him among true noblemen. Early in life he was converted and united with the Presbyterian church. At the time of his death he was a member of the Congregational church in this city. He was a living example of what the spirit of Christ can do for one who trusts in the Savior.

If Nathan Axtel Day was anything he was an honest man. Honest with his God, himself, his family and his fellowman. The world's greatest poet said: "To be honest as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of two thousand." A Christian patriot and an American citizen certainly constitutes one of God's noblemen. Such an one was Nathan A. Day. Who could wish to be more?

Mr. Day leaves a wife and four children— a boy 14 years old and three younger daughters.