Early Homesteaders and Settlers
Day/Sloman
Life in Saskatchewan
Born in Ontario, John, Earl and Wilbert came to Saskatchewan as early as 1909 and 1821
Ancestry
Maternal parents were African descent born in the United States and moved to Ontario dates unknown
Contributions
Agriculture, Business
John (Jack) Edward Day was born May 27, 1883 (it may have been 1884 as his headstone says 1883 but census records show 1884) in Middlesex County Ontario.
John’s parents were Edward Day June 23, 1916 and Mary Frances Day (nee Lawson) 1838-Feb 9, 1901 buried in Lot H-151 Mount Pleasant Cemetery London Ontario. In the 1881 Ontario Census Mary Frances Day identifies herself as African but born in Ontario. In the 1891 Ontario Census Mary Frances Day identifies her parent’s birth place as U.S..
John came to Saskatchewan in 1909 to homestead NE 27-7-20 W3 Pinto River School District between Aneroid and Hazenmore. When he first came to farm he used oxen and later farmed with horses. He owned the homestead as well as SE 35-7-10 and NE 35-7-10. In the 30’s he also purchased NW and SW 36-7-10.
On SE 35 John built a 2 story Eaton’s home and a hip roof barn. He also owned a threshing machine run with a Rumely engine with Gordon Eddy, James Davidson and Jim Young from 1920-1939. It was known as the E.DD.Y. outfit. They threshed in the district. He owned a 1926 Derby Car. (this car was assembled in Saskatoon Saskatchewan and apparently one has been included in the Western Development Museum as they are quite rare). He retired to Aneroid in 1952 and then spent the last 5 years of his life in Tuxford Nursing Home. He died Jan 1, 1964 at the age of 80 years. John had a Scottish housekeeper from 1924 who brought a son over with her. John was like a father to this boy (Scottie McBlain) and Scottie eventually got ownership of the farm. John Day’s uncle, James Francis Sloman also went to the Aneroid/Hazenmore area to homestead in 1911 and people in the family say he came out because John Day was there.
Earl Edward William Sloman, (Apr 21, 1902 – Dec. 1 1964) This nephew to John Edward Day came to Aneroid ,Saskatchewan in 1921 to work for John (Jack) Day. Earl farmed around Aneroid and had a dray service and delivered water in Aneroid.
Earl’s brother, Wilbert George Dangerfield Sloman (Apr 12, 1896- Dec 29, 1978) also came to Saskatchewan in 1921 and worked first as a teacher for 4 years. He served in 1st World War in R.F.C. Wilbert also was loaned to the army during 2nd World War to work wth the Postal Corps. He was postmaster in Regina from 1956-57.
