Hale Family Pictures

Liecester (Lester)Day was Elmo's maternal grandfather.

Article from Burrton Kansas Newspaper

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.(she was Elmo's mother), 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 Burton Township.

Obituary
Day, Leicester. - (Burrton). Leicester Day enlisted Sept. 18, 1861 as a private in Company F, 7th Wisconsin. Served 3 years. Was on detatched duty in McDowals construction corps afterwards in the Pioneer corps. Served in that capacity in battles at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Fredricksburg, and was almost constantly in hearing of musketry and smell of powder until discharged. (Our Old Soldiers, written by A. Perry, G.A.R., published in the Burrton Monitor, Friday September 22, 1882. Page 2). Leicester Day died August 4, 1897, at the age of 74 years, 4 months, 0 days. He was married to Christine (Curley)Day, who died November 15, 1901 at the age of 78 years, 1 month, 7 days. Buried together with them is Archie Day, born 1885 and died 1887. All are buried in the Burrton Cemetery, Burrton Kansas, Block 3 Lot 52, Graves 1-3.

The following is an article about Lesters wife (Elmo's Maternal Grandmother) Christine Curley-Day

Christine Curley was born on October 8, 1823 at Sparta, Livingston County, New York. Christine Curley was the daughter of William Curley and Catriena Stryker. Christine Curley married Leicester Day on December 31, 1844 at Johnston, Ohio. Christine Curley died on November 15, 1901 at Burrton, Harvey County, Kansas, at age 78. Christine Curley was buried at Burrton Cemetery, Burrton, Harvey County, Kansas. DOCTORS SCARCE IN EARLY DAYS In those early days of Burrton's history, doctors had not yet discovered this little prairie town. (The population of Burrton was 255 at the time of its incorporation.) But a lady lived here who acted as midwife and general practitioner for all the settlers. She was Mrs. Leicester Day and she lived where the Bruce Wilson family lives now. Mrs. Day was one of the most valuable persons in the community. An early day friend of mine told me that he once had a case of acute indigestion. His family sent for Mrs. Day, and after she had given him a dose of her medicine the pain ceased in less than fifteen minutes. Mrs. Day also kept a boarding house to accomodate transients and drummers (salesmen to the younger generation), and one day a Mr. Dickey of Newton on his way to Hutchinson stopped at her house for dinner. He finished the meal before the others and on his way out, he passed by the cook stove. He could smell a delicious aroma coming from the oven and he asked Mrs. Day what she was cooking. She told him it was a wild goose. "Well", he said, "I'll be coming back for supper. Save me some of the goose." When he returned, she had to tell him that it was not a goose but that she did not dare tell him before the other boarders that it was a skunk. She was rendering the oil from it for some patients she had. Of course she had removed the disagreeable effluvia from the creature before she put it in the oven. Mrs. Day told me the story with many a chuckle. Death of Grandma Day Mrs. Leicester Day died suddenly at her home in this city last Saturday, of heart failure. She had been in her usual health and the only indication of an approaching end was when she dropped into a chair and breathed her last. Christine Curly was born Oct. 8, 1823, in Livingston Co., New York. Was married to Leicester Day in Trumble Co., Ohio, on the 31st day of Dec. 1844, resided in the state of Ohio about 11 years from there they removed to Grand (Grant) Co., Wisconsin, where they resided until 1871, when they moved to Kansas, near Burrton, at which place she resided until her death Nov. 15, 1901. Age 78 years, 1 month and 7 days. She was left a widow in 1897, her companion having preceded her to his eternal home on the fourth day of August. She was the mother of nine children, one, Estella, dying in infancy, and Kate Hale, deceased. She leaves three sons and four daughters to mourn her loss, all living near Burrton, with the exception on one daughter, Elmira Darstow, who resides in California. The funeral services were held from the Christian Church Sunday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. Hensley of Halstead. The remains were laid to rest in the Burrton Cemetery.