Capt. Robert H. Day, s/o Henry & Ann Eliza (Wright) Day, enlisted in Philadelphia County, PA and was mustered into service November 1st 1861 with the 56th Regiment D Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. He was promoted to Captain June 13th 1863 and was captured in July 1863 at Gettysburg. Confined at the overcrowded Richmond Libby Prison, he managed to escape. Discharged the 10th of June 1865, he had served the Union with distinction and received several citations for gallantry. He lived in 1870 with his wife at Port Jervis, Deerpark, Orange County, New York. His occupation was noted as Railroad Engineer as he had entered the services of the Erie Railroad. He received a military service pension. Becoming a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization composed of Union Army veterans, he apparently performed GAR post duties as a "Major".
In 1882, he became the first road foreman hired by the Norfolk & Western Railroad. A honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he became Superintendent of the Roanoke Streetcar Company and was present on its first run in which two mules pulled the streetcar.
His siblings include his eldest sister, Martha M. Day Fordyce, his younger brothers: Isaac W. Day, Charles M. Day, Daniel R. Day, and his youngest sister, Ludora C. Day Smith.
" Major R. H. Day, manager of the Roanoke Electric and Power Company, has gone to Union, New York, to attend a reunion of his family. His venerable mother is about 84 years of age and his brother, Charles M. Day, a chief draughtsman of the Union Pacific railroad, he has not seen for several years. He anticipates much pleasure from this reunion, probably the last without broken ranks, he will ever enjoy".
To A Family Reunion
The Roanoke Daily Times
December 27, 1891
The Virginia Gun Club met below Carr's woods yesterday. Ten shots were allowed. Major Day's score in shooting live pigeons: killed 5;lost 5.
Virginia Gun Show
The Roanoke Daily Times
July 5, 1896
Robert Day lived in the City of Roanoke for fifty (50) years and was considered one of its oldest citizens. He outlived his Libby Prison comrades. Day Avenue in Old Southwest was named in his honor.
The Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp #20 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Roanoke, VA honored Major Robert H. Day in a ceremony and memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Evergreen Burial Park. The Honorable David Bowers, Mayor of the City of Roanoke issued a Proclamation proclaiming the day as Robert Henry Day's Day.
In 1882, he became the first road foreman hired by the Norfolk & Western Railroad. A honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he became Superintendent of the Roanoke Streetcar Company and was present on its first run in which two mules pulled the streetcar.
His siblings include his eldest sister, Martha M. Day Fordyce, his younger brothers: Isaac W. Day, Charles M. Day, Daniel R. Day, and his youngest sister, Ludora C. Day Smith.
" Major R. H. Day, manager of the Roanoke Electric and Power Company, has gone to Union, New York, to attend a reunion of his family. His venerable mother is about 84 years of age and his brother, Charles M. Day, a chief draughtsman of the Union Pacific railroad, he has not seen for several years. He anticipates much pleasure from this reunion, probably the last without broken ranks, he will ever enjoy".
To A Family Reunion
The Roanoke Daily Times
December 27, 1891
The Virginia Gun Club met below Carr's woods yesterday. Ten shots were allowed. Major Day's score in shooting live pigeons: killed 5;lost 5.
Virginia Gun Show
The Roanoke Daily Times
July 5, 1896
Robert Day lived in the City of Roanoke for fifty (50) years and was considered one of its oldest citizens. He outlived his Libby Prison comrades. Day Avenue in Old Southwest was named in his honor.
The Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp #20 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Roanoke, VA honored Major Robert H. Day in a ceremony and memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Evergreen Burial Park. The Honorable David Bowers, Mayor of the City of Roanoke issued a Proclamation proclaiming the day as Robert Henry Day's Day.
Capt. Robert H. Day, s/o Henry & Ann Eliza (Wright) Day, enlisted in Philadelphia County, PA and was mustered into service November 1st 1861 with the 56th Regiment D Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. He was promoted to Captain June 13th 1863 and was captured in July 1863 at Gettysburg. Confined at the overcrowded Richmond Libby Prison, he managed to escape. Discharged the 10th of June 1865, he had served the Union with distinction and received several citations for gallantry. He lived in 1870 with his wife at Port Jervis, Deerpark, Orange County, New York. His occupation was noted as Railroad Engineer as he had entered the services of the Erie Railroad. He received a military service pension. Becoming a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization composed of Union Army veterans, he apparently performed GAR post duties as a "Major".
In 1882, he became the first road foreman hired by the Norfolk & Western Railroad. A honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he became Superintendent of the Roanoke Streetcar Company and was present on its first run in which two mules pulled the streetcar.
His siblings include his eldest sister, Martha M. Day Fordyce, his younger brothers: Isaac W. Day, Charles M. Day, Daniel R. Day, and his youngest sister, Ludora C. Day Smith.
" Major R. H. Day, manager of the Roanoke Electric and Power Company, has gone to Union, New York, to attend a reunion of his family. His venerable mother is about 84 years of age and his brother, Charles M. Day, a chief draughtsman of the Union Pacific railroad, he has not seen for several years. He anticipates much pleasure from this reunion, probably the last without broken ranks, he will ever enjoy".
To A Family Reunion
The Roanoke Daily Times
December 27, 1891
The Virginia Gun Club met below Carr's woods yesterday. Ten shots were allowed. Major Day's score in shooting live pigeons: killed 5;lost 5.
Virginia Gun Show
The Roanoke Daily Times
July 5, 1896
Robert Day lived in the City of Roanoke for fifty (50) years and was considered one of its oldest citizens. He outlived his Libby Prison comrades. Day Avenue in Old Southwest was named in his honor.
The Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp #20 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Roanoke, VA honored Major Robert H. Day in a ceremony and memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Evergreen Burial Park. The Honorable David Bowers, Mayor of the City of Roanoke issued a Proclamation proclaiming the day as Robert Henry Day's Day.
In 1882, he became the first road foreman hired by the Norfolk & Western Railroad. A honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he became Superintendent of the Roanoke Streetcar Company and was present on its first run in which two mules pulled the streetcar.
His siblings include his eldest sister, Martha M. Day Fordyce, his younger brothers: Isaac W. Day, Charles M. Day, Daniel R. Day, and his youngest sister, Ludora C. Day Smith.
" Major R. H. Day, manager of the Roanoke Electric and Power Company, has gone to Union, New York, to attend a reunion of his family. His venerable mother is about 84 years of age and his brother, Charles M. Day, a chief draughtsman of the Union Pacific railroad, he has not seen for several years. He anticipates much pleasure from this reunion, probably the last without broken ranks, he will ever enjoy".
To A Family Reunion
The Roanoke Daily Times
December 27, 1891
The Virginia Gun Club met below Carr's woods yesterday. Ten shots were allowed. Major Day's score in shooting live pigeons: killed 5;lost 5.
Virginia Gun Show
The Roanoke Daily Times
July 5, 1896
Robert Day lived in the City of Roanoke for fifty (50) years and was considered one of its oldest citizens. He outlived his Libby Prison comrades. Day Avenue in Old Southwest was named in his honor.
The Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp #20 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Roanoke, VA honored Major Robert H. Day in a ceremony and memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Evergreen Burial Park. The Honorable David Bowers, Mayor of the City of Roanoke issued a Proclamation proclaiming the day as Robert Henry Day's Day.
Inscription
ROBERT H. DAY
CAPTAIN 56TH PA INF
JANUARY 11, 1929
Gravesite Details
US GOVT. HEADSTONE Application by Mrs. Tina M. Day approved Oct. 1940
Family Members
Children
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