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OWEN DAY.

THE DAYS' PRETTY COTTAGE HOME IN GLASCO.

Owen Day, one of the old residents of Cloud county, is a retired farmer and merchant. He was born in the little town of Warren, Marion county, Missouri, in 1841. His father, Thomas Day, was born in Ohio but reared in Virginia and emigrated to Missouri in 1839. He was born in 1801 and died in Marion county in 1855. He was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. His mother, before her marriage in 1827, was Hannah Corder, born and reared in Virginia. The Corders were among the colonists of that state and were slaveholders. Mr. Day's mother was born in 1809, married when but sixteen years of age and became the mother of fifteen children. She died in 1871. His parents were slaveholders and when the negroes were emancipated his mother read the proclamation and informed them they were free to either go or stay. But one of them departed, a young negro woman, who returned ten days later. When Mr. Day, with his family, visited his old Missouri home fourteen years ago, their aged cook of slavery times gave them a dinner.

Mr. Day's ancestors were patriotic, two of his uncles serving in the War of 1812, and his maternal grandfather in the War of the Revolution. Mr. Day had finished the common school course and had just entered upon high school work when the war was declared. His parents being slaveholders engendered in him a tendency or inclination to defend their property and in 1862 he enlisted in Captain Valentine's company of Porter's regiment, in the Confederate ranks. While in the enemy's line they were disbanded and with other comrades made their way south, under the protection of Quantrell, the noted guerrilla chieftain. Among Mr. Day's associates were Captain "Bill" Anderson and his brother "Jim," who were schoolmates of Mr. Day in Missouri. They were on the south side of the river and resorted to all manner of strategy to pass through the lines and over the Missouri. They stopped over night at Roanoke with parties whom they had been referred to and pursued the journey the next morning, traveling toward the river during the night time, but before morning Mr. Day and his companion after crossing the river grew sleepy and fatigued and concluding to rest they tied their horses to a stack of oats and sought the inviting shelter of a hedge, where they slept soundly until sunrise, and upon awakening from their slumbers found themselves along side a public highway in imminent danger of falling into the enemy's hands. They met a brother Confederate, who assisted them in finding a boatman, who rowed them over the river, while their horses swam one on either side of the boat. Upon gaining the ranks they joined the command of Colonel Shelby. Mr. Day's two older brothers served in the southern army, the eldest responding to the first call. Mr. Day was among those who surrendered at Austin, Texas, August 5, 1865. He experienced his principal service through Arkansas, but also operated in Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana.

During the hostilities he was on five raids through Missouri and with Price in his expeditions. He participated in the battles of Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas, seven days' fighting with General Steele, Cape Girardeau, Marshall, Springfield, Missouri, and many other minor engagements. He was struck by a spent ball on the shoulder, but not seriously wounded. Mr. Day's mother was a woman of considerable courage and great nerve. During the turbulent war times in Missouri, Colonel Glover and some of his men endeavored to force an entrance into their residence at an early hour before the household, including her daughters, had arisen. She refused them admittance until they could make their morning toilets, and while defending their honor a warm volley of wrathful words ensued; Colonel Glover called her a liar and she in return gave him a violent slap in the face.

After the war Mr. Day settled at his old home, but one year later located South of the Missouri river. In 1872 he was married to Amanda VanLandingham and the same day started overland in a "prairie schooner" bound for Kansas, and located on the land he had homesteaded the year prior, five and one-half miles northwest of Glasco, where they lived until the autumn of 1886, when he sold, and, becoming associated with J.R. Fuller in the hardware business, moved his family into Glasco. One year later Mr. Fuller sold his interest to G.B. VanLandingham and the firm continued until the autumn of 1894, when Mr. VanLandingham retired and the firm became Day & Day, the partner being the son, Samuel T. They conducted a successful hardware business, until 1900 and were succeeded by T.W. Nicol. Mr. Day was appointed postmaster, under Cleveland's second administration, and served a little more than four years. He has been trustee of his township, a member of the school board for several years, a justice of the peace, and is a notary public.

Mr. and Mrs. Day are the parents of one son and two daughters. Samuel T. is a graduate of the Glasco common school and was a student for one year of William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, one of the best institutions in that state. He was married in 1898 to Miss Bessie Miller, of Liberty, who is a daughter of Robert Miller, the founder of the Liberty Journal and a prominent journalist for many years. Her mother's people, the Wilsons, are a family of politicians and prominent people. Her grandfather was a noted general in the Confederate army. Samuel T. and wife are the parents of two children, Roger Owen, aged two years, and an infant. Estelle B. is the wife of Sherman Truex, whose parents were among the old settlers of Ottawa county; their residence is Delphos. Mrs. Truex passed the examination and finished the high school course of Glasco. Leta Catherine is a graduate of the Glasco high school, and in 1901 graduated from the Lindsborg College, in music and elocution. She has special talent and is a successful teacher in music.

Mr. Day is a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen Lodge at Delphos. He is a Modern Woodmen and an honorary member of the Fraternal Aid. The Days have one of the neatest and most tasteful cottage homes in Glasco, made particularly charming by a bower of fine evergreens and other trees. Mr. Day is a good citizen, and though once a southern sympathizer heartily affiliates with the people of his adopted home. Is one of them politically and socially and no one enjoys a larger circle of friends than he and his estimable family. Mrs. Day is a woman of culture and the daughters are accomplished and possessed of many personal charms.