Biographies C-D

Wellsville Daily Reporter February 19, 1932

Passing of Charles Day Recalls Active Career

Over 30 years in mercantile business here and in nearby communities and over 40 years in the oil industry in the Allegany and other fields was the remarkable record of Charles Day, whose death at the age of 85 occurred Thursday in the family home at 96 East Pearl Street, which Mr. and Mrs. Day had occupied for 40 years.

No less outstanding than his business career was his long connection with the Masonic Order and, at the time of his death, he was one of the oldest active Masons in Western New York.  He is believed to have been the oldest member of Wellsville Lodge No. 230 F. & A.M.

Masonic rites will form a part of the funeral services, which will take place in the late home Saturday at 3 PM, the Rev. M. H. Sangree Pastor the First Congregational church, officiating.  Internment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery.

Came here in 1870

Mr. Day was born in Elyria, Ohio, February 8, 1847 coming to Wellsville in 1870 when a young man 23 years of age.  He found employment in the general store operated by Charles Simmons in the old block of that name at Main and State streets, which a few years ago burned.  It was at the time the largest mercantile establishment in this part of the country.

Two years later, he went to Oswayo, Pa., to strike out in business for himself.  He entered into a partnership with Walter Wells, father of Mrs. Harry Bradley and Arthur J. Wells of this place.  The firm of Wells & Day was formed to engage in mercantile business.  For eight years the business prospered.

In 1880, Mr. Day moved to Bolivar and joined with his brother in law, George Lyman, in organizing the firm of Day & Lyman, dealers in hardware and oil well supplies.  Oil had been struck in the Allegany field and it was in the early boom period of the Bolivar Richburg field.  Mr. Day had been quick to recognize the possibilities in the oil well supply business and had lost no time in setting up such a business.

Form Firm of Otis & Day

For three years this business was operated, after which Mr. Day returned to Wellsville to set up in the hardware and oil well supply business with T.P. Otis, father of Norman Otis of this city, in the firm of Otis & Day.  This happy association continued for almost 30 years and the firm became one of the best known in this section.  Always Mr. Day and his partner were recognized as men of unquestioned business integrity, whose word, to make use of the old colloquialism, was as good as their bond.

The business was conducted in a building, which stood at the present location of the Weinhauer Chevrolet garage.  The building burned in June 1901, and after a fire sale had served as a means to dispose of stock undamaged by the fire, Mr. Day retired from active mercantile business and devoted his time to oil interests which had during his years in other field of activity also absorbed a great deal of time and attention.  He was truly one of the pioneers of the Allegany Field at one time he extended his interests to oil properties in Ohio, Kentucky and Oklahoma fields.

Maintained Oil Interests

He watched the growth and expansion of the Allegany field with interest, and though he disposed of interests in outside fields, at the time of his death he still maintained an interest in the adjacent oil territories.

Mr. Day took a deep interest in public affairs, and although never an office holder in the village or township, he kept in close touch with civic activities.  Although politically a Republican, he remained independent and never failed to drop his political affiliation when he was convinced that vote for a candidate of another political faith was for the best.

He was interested in early railroading ventures and became a director of the Wellsville, Coudersport and Pine Creek Railroad, which in 1892 built a line from Wellsville to Genesee Pa.  In 1897, this line was absorbed by the B & S Railroad Company, which extended the road to Galeton, Pa.  This old line, the first of the year, became a part of the Baltimore & Ohio System.

Although not a member of any church, Mr. Day attended the Congregational church regularly and contributed towards its support.

During his many years of lodge affiliation, Mr. Day became well known in Masonic circles and held many important offices.  In addition to holding membership in the Wellsville lodge No. 230, F & A.M. he was a member of Wellsville Chapter No. 143, R.A.M; DeMolay Commandery, Hornell, and Ismailia Shrine, Buffalo.

The first day of February was the 58th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Day’s wedding.  Mrs. Day, formerly Helen S. Lyman; Mrs. Charles Day Jr., Tulsa, Okla. and four grandchildren are now the only near survivors.  Charles Jr., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Day, died five years ago.