Dr. Robert L. Jay
Surnames in the biography: JAY-ALEXANDER-BALES-
ROBINSON-GRIFFEY-PAYNE-DAVIS-FREE-COX-STOCKMAN
SIBBIE-WHITE-CAMPBELL-SMITH-TRACEY-FUNK
ROBERT L. JAY, M.D.
He was born in Van Buren Co. Iowa in 1849, the son
of Rev. John and Mary (Alexander) Jay, who were among
the first families of Southeastern Iowa. Rev Jay was
one of the first Methodist Episcopal ministers in this part of the state.
The Alexander family located near
Taleyrand in Keokuk Couty, and the mother of Mary
Alexander died while crossing the ocean enroute from
Ireland to America. The Rev.and Mrs. Jay had seven
children: Elizabeth, who married David Bales of
Sterling, Nebraska; Marrietta, married John Robinson,
a farmer of Blue Springs, NE.; William, married Georgia
Griffey, and resided in South Sioux City and is the
editor of the Sioux City Sun.; John, the youngest
died unmarried. Marcellus and Melvin, twins, are
both practicing attorneys at Dakota City, NE. They
were students of law with Judge Griffey of NE.
Marcellus is not married, and Melvin married Laura
Tracey, and Robert L.
When 15 years of age, Robert L. volunteered and
became a drummer boy of Co. D., 15th Iowa Infantry.
He was present at the siege of Atlanta, Georgia, and
was at the front of Sherman's great march, and par-
ticipated in the grand review at Washington City.
After return from the army he studied medicine with
Dr. Payne of Richland. He married Miss Sibbie Davis
in 1869, a daughter of John and Sarah (Free) Davis.
There were eight children in the Davis household:
Zerelda m. Sherd Tracy, James m. Sarah Stockman and
resided in Pawnee County, KS.; Henderson who married
Lou Cox, Mary m. Bert Funk, Sibbie m. Dr. Jay, Lydia
married Hayes White, Harry m. Cora Campbell, Lena
m. Ralph Smith.
Dr. Jay located in Wayland in 1884. Four children
grace the union of Dr. and Mrs. Jay: John, Alma,
Lenora, and Mollie.