Leicester Day

LEICESTER DAY, farmer, Section 20, P. O. Burrton, owns 160 acres, 100 under cultivation, twenty-five acres fenced with barb wire. Small grove and dwelling 24 x 28 feet, one and one half stories, stable, carpenter shop and outbuildings for stock. Was born in Vermont, in 1823, and when eleven years of age moved with his parents to Ohio. In 1855, he moved to Wisconsin. In 1861, he enlisted in Company F., Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went with his command to the army of the Potomac, and being a mechanic, was detailed in McDowell's Construction Corps and was never actively engaged, although under fire a number of times while constructing bridges and laying pontoons and was present in most of the engagements from second Bull Run to Petersburg. In laying the pontoons at Fredericksburg, was under heavy fire, and at Gettysburg being then in the Pioneer corps, he helped carry General Reynolds off the field, when he was killed by Rebel shooters. In the advance of General Grant's army in 1864, was continually on the front laying bridges for the artillery and in many a close place, and was mustered out near the Weldon R. R. below Petersburg, September 8, 1864. Came from Wisconsin to Kansas and located on his present farm June 30, 1871, and the nearest house was four miles away and had to haul his supplies from Peabody, then the end of the R. R. and lived for quite a time in his wagon, until he got his house up. When the R. R. arrived at Newton, the buildings of Hutchinson in Reno County also commenced shortly after and he being on the direct road between the two places, kept a stage station, called the half-way house, and had a great deal of custom. Has had as many as thirty-eight teams at one time over night. When the town of Burrton was laid out, being a carpenter, he erected a number of the buildings in town, and for three years kept a hotel and feed stable and narrowly escaped being burnt out by prairie fires which destroyed a great deal of property in this vicinity. Was married December 30, 1844, to Miss Christine Curley, a native of Sparta, N. Y. They have eight children -- Malvina A., Elmina D., Catharine M., George, Riley, Pluma J., William W., Hannah Ida, and Giles L. Was on the School Board two terms in Wisconsin and the second Treasurer of Burrton Township.