JAMES THEODORE DAY. Among the early settlers of Washington county, who helped to reclaim its fertile lands from the dense primeval forests, was Luther Day. He was descended from a hardy English family, who, in early colonial days had settled in New Jersey. Locating in Morris township about 1787, he married Mary Van Kirk, and reared a family of seven children, as follows: William V., Daniel, Priscilla, Lavina, Arvida, Maria and Artemus; of whom Daniel, Priscilla and Arvida are still living, being residents of Morris township. Luther Day devoted his whole life to farming and was successful. He died in 1874. His eldest son, William V. Day, was born July 12, 1812, and on December 5, 1834, was married to Sarah Patterson, a native of Morris township, born November 17, 1812. To them were born seven children: Alanson R., born October, 1835, married Lydia M. Cort, and at present resides in Carroll township, Washington county; James Theodore, whose sketch follows; Almus L., born May 2, 1840, and died February 28, 1845; Sarah L., born December 9, 1842, married Joseph Andrew, and resides in Boulder county, Colo.; Mary E., born August 1, 1845, was married September 21, 1873, to Oresta Vail, and died April 2, 1880; William Howard, born February 19, 1848, was married September 10, 1876, to Mary E. Rowley, of Texas, where they now reside; Ida P., born February 28, 1854, married October 13, 1875, to W.J. Fleniken, now deceased. The father died May 2, 1883, and the mother in 1887. Luther Day was a great reader---possessed a wonderful memory, and was a ready speaker. His height was five feet and ten inches, and his weight 170 pounds. James Theodore Day, born March 7, 1837, was reared on his father's farm, and trained to a good practical knowledge of farm work. His early mental training was received in the neighborhood schools, from which he obtained an ordinary business education. In beginning business life, he started as a farmer, in which he has since successfully continued. He entered the Federal army August 12, 1861, as a member of the Twenty-Second Cavalry Regiment, of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He rendered gallant service until September, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability, resulting from a serious wound received in making a charge near Moorefield, W. Va. One year later he returned to his home in Washington county, and on May 24, 1866, was married to Elizabeth Horton, a daughter of Thomas Horton, of East Bethlehem township. To them five children have been born, viz.: Maria S., born July 9, 1869; Annie M., born October 19, 1871; Lizzie Bell, born June 15, 1874; Margaret Elnora, born May 2, 1880, and died January 9, 1882; Mabel Ida, born November 17, 1881. The daughters that have attained a requisite age are teaching school, and preparing themselves for a high class of educational work. Mr. Day gives his exclusive attention to the management of his excellent farm, located at the west end of Sparta, and which has in turn been owned by grandfather, father and son. In politics Mr. Day is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Old Concord.

Text taken from page 785 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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