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Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN DAY, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Willow Dell. Solomon Day, the father of John, was born in Loudoun Co., Va., on the 17th day of December, 1812; he moved with his parents to Pennsylvania when about 3 years of age, after which he came with his parents to Belmont Co., Ohio, in the year 1828, where he remained about two years, thence with his parents to Darke Co., in 1832; he then went to Piqua, Miami Co., and drove team for David Jordon, drawing crockery and building stone for one year, after which he returned home; he was united in marriage with Sarah Myers, in Shelby Co., near Houston, Dec 4, 1834; she was born in Miami Co. Aug. 4, 1816; he then moved upon his father-in-law’s place and farmed one season, during which time he entered 40 acres in Darke Co., Patterson Township; this was in the year 1835; he then erected a nice little cabin, and moved into it in the spring of 1836; tapped a few sugar trees and went to his father-in-law’s, leaving his brave wife and one child in charge of the cabin; she tended the sugar camp while he was away through the week, and on Saturday nights he would return and boil sugar water; this he continued to do for about three weeks, the distance being ten miles of which he would walk home Saturday night and return Sunday morning, and for the fruits of this labor, their syrup and sugar that they made was equal to the best in the State; his industrious and hard-working wife cleared off, made and planted garden in his absence; they remained on this place some fifteen years, meeting with good success, and in 1848 he bought 85 acres in Sec. 17, in the same township, where he built a hewed-log house, his wife helping him to saw out the windows and doors, and also to clear off a garden spot, moving into the house in April, 1851; while raising his house, he came very near being killed by falling from the top joist to the ground below; in this house he continued to live until his death, which occurred June 13,1872, with cerebro-spinal meningitis; Mr. and Mrs. Day passed through the many struggles, trials and incidents common to pioneer life; was a member of the Christian Church some thirteen years, and lived a devoted and consistent Christian till the angel of death came and relieved him of this earthly tenement; Mrs. Day is still living in the old home farm, enjoying good health, and is 63 years of age; nine children was the fruit of this union, of which four are living, viz.: Rhoda, born May 27, 1837, now Mrs. J. W. Puterbaugh; May J., born May 29, 1839, now Mrs. S. J. Hixon; John, born Feb. 17, 1849, and Solomon J., born Jan. 13, 1857; Mr. Day had his full share of offices, being Justice of the Peace for nine years; Township Clerk one year; Treasurer one year, and Trustee one year. Our subject was born in Darke Co. on the 17th day of February, 1849, and lived with his parents and worked on the farm and attended the district school in the winter till he was 16 years of age, after which he did not attend school but four days, but by his own exertions has obtained a good common-school education; he continued to work at home until he was 21 years of age, and at that time he came to the conclusion to remain on the home farm, where he has since lived; he bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 18, paying $1,300, in the year 1871; sold out in 1873, for $1,600, and in 1874 bought 64 acres in Sec. 17, paying $1,508, and in 1876 sold this place for $2,500, and during the same year he bought 77 ½ acres in Sec. 17, paying $3,500, and in 1879 sold 60 acres for $2,200; has been Trustee one year, and Supervisor two years, and is a Republican in politics; Mr. Day was employed in the boat-yards at Wheeling, Va., with the Skags Brothers, building boats, working about two years altogether.

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This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Darke County, Ohio family biographies here: Darke County, Ohio Biographies

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