My Genealogy Hound

RALPH B. DAY. A man whose life has not only been one of usefulness and business activity, but of genial, quiet manner and kindly deeds, is Ralph B. Day, a prominent and highly-respected citizen of the town of Dunkirk. He was born on the farm where he now resides, one mile from Dunkirk city, in the town of Dunkirk (then Pomfret), Chautauqua county, New York, March 10, 1831, and is a son of Edmund and Maria (Drake) Day. The Days are of Scotch descent, and the founder of the American branch of the family came in the second ship load of Pilgrims that landed on Plymouth Rock to face the unbroken forest depths and the many warlike Indian tribes of New England. One of his numerous descendants in western Massachusetts was Edmund Day, Sr., grandfather of Ralph B. Day. He was a native and life-long resident of Springfield, Massachusetts, where his son, Edmund Day (father), was born October 29, 1802, and remained until he was twenty-four years of age.

Edmund Day, in 1826, joined in the steady tide of New England emigration that then had for several years been pushing westward towards the Genesee Valley and southwestern New York. He settled upon the fine farm where the subject of this sketch now resides, and devoted all his energies for a time to the clearing and improving of his land. He erected good farm buildings, and built a saw-mill which was greatly needed in his community in that early day of its settlement. He was successful in his farming operations and lumbering business, which he followed many years. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, was an active democrat in local politics, and held several of the most important offices in his town. His life was well worthy of imitation. It was straightforward, unfaltering and unstained. He died April 18, 1873, and rested from his many earthly labors when one year past the allotted threescore and ten years of man’s life. His wife was Maria Drake, daughter of Eli Drake, of Connecticut. She was born February 18, 1800, and passed away March 4, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Day were the parents of three children: Ralph B.; Mrs. George Gerrans, of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Mrs. B. B. Hill, of Leadville, Colorado.

Ralph B. Day was reared on the Day homestead, and received his education at Fredonia academy. Leaving school, his first employment in active life for himself was in the lumbering and farming business, in which he engaged with his father. He was successful in both those lines of business, and in 1861 purchased an interest in a wine house at Brocton, where he was engaged for eighteen years in the manufacture of wine. He then engaged in the cultivation of the grape and the manufacture of wine on a large scale upon his home farm. He also invested in a chemical works at Warren, Pennsylvania, besides purchasing a considerable body of choice farming lands in Wisconsin. Each and every one of these different lines of business has received his personal attention and careful supervision for several years, and today, as the result of his able management, are in a very prosperous condition. The products of the chemical works at Warren, Pa., are of first class character, and the average annual production amounts to $25,000 in value. His vineyards are extensive, and are amply provided with all modern machinery used in the manufacture of wine. His extensive packing house is two stories in height, with a large, dry wine-cellar extending under it. His wine is popular in the market, and is known as an absolutely pure and wholesome article.

April 17, 1855, he married Prudence J. Gates, of Dunkirk, who was a daughter of Phineas and Eliza A. Gates, and died April 25, 1890, when in the forty-ninth year of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. Day were born two sons: Edmund L. and Ralph D., now aged respectively twenty-one and fourteen years.

In agricultural matters Mr. Day takes a great interest, and his fertile and highly improved home farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres bears witness to his extensive knowledge and good taste as a farmer. In politics he is pronounced in his democracy, and always active in supporting the principles and advocating the interests of the party of Jefferson, Jackson and Cleveland. During his long business career, and in all his extensive business dealings, Ralph B. Day has never failed to meet every financial engagement promptly, and has never been known to deny an honest and deserving appeal in favor of any worthy enterprise calculated to benefit his fellow-men or advance the interests of his town. He has been for many years a useful member of Dunkirk Lodge, No. 767, Free and Accepted Masons.