Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Day, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 9:54 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

JOHN DAY. No man in the county is more worthy of respect than Mr. Day, who for 
so many years has been connected with the agricultural interests of Dupage 
Township, but is now to some extent retired from active cares, and makes his 
home in Plainfield. He is one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for the 
present prosperity of this region. Being industrious and careful, as well as a 
good manager, he made a success of his farm work. On renting his farm he moved 
to Plainfield and bought a place, which he has since made his home, having 
rebuilt and improved the residence, besides putting up a house to the east. 
While he is practically retired, he still farms ten acres, this affording him 
a chance for some work in the occupation of which he is fond, while at the 
same time it does not overtax his energies. In Lincolnshire, England, Mr. Day 
was born April 2, 1836, a son of John and Rebecca (Briccols) Day. He was the 
third among four children, of whom Mary and William died in this country and 
Sophia in England. His educational advantages were very meagre, as he was 
obliged to support himself from an early age. When he was thirteen he had an 
opportunity to come to America, but his parents refused their consent, so he 
continued at home until he was eighteen. He then crossed in an old sailing 
vessel that had more than one thousand passengers and consumed seven weeks in 
the voyage. As he had started with a family that had two of its members in 
Will County, he was induced to come here, making the trip via the canal and 
lakes from New York. Arriving in this county, he secured work on a farm just 
west of Plainfield, and he was beginning to get a nice foothold in his new 
home when, in the fall, an attack of typhoid fever rendered him unable to work 
for three months. On regaining his strength he resumed his work. After two 
years he sent for his parents, who joined him in Will County. After the latter 
came, father and son cultivated a farm of ninety-one acres in Dupage Township, 
which our subject had purchased. At a later date ninety-one acres additional 
were purchased, thus making a valuable farm, on which he first raised wheat 
and afterward corn and oats. Starting in with a few head of stock, he added to 
them from time to time and gave considerable attention to the cattle business 
and dairying. He also raised horses. In 1880 his father was killed by a bull, 
and afterward the entire supervision of the place fell upon him. In addition 
to his property here he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Iowa, of which 
he now owns eighty acres. Though not desiring to be prominent in politics, Mr. 
Day is a man of firm convictions, and believes stanchly in Republican 
principles. For some twelve years he held the office of school director. In 
religion a Methodist, he has served the congregation in Plainfield as a 
trustee for some years. Just prior to the Civil war he married Catherine 
Stratton, who came to this county in 1854, the year of Mr. Day's arrival here. 
When the war opened he desired to enlist in the army and fight for the Union, 
but his wife urged him so strongly not to do so that he gave up the hope. Of 
the six children born to his marriage only two are living. Sophia is the wife 
of Frank Gordon, of Hamilton County, Iowa; and Carrie married Fred Morgan, of 
this county.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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