Aaron David "Day" was the 2nd son born to Aaron Steelman and Demaris Amassa "Massey" Short Steelman, April 1846 in Ohio. His parents moved the family before he was four to Indiana where he grew up with 5 brothers and a sister. He and his family were among the early settlers and influential residents in the Tipton County, Indiana area.

In 1861 "Day" and his older brother William P. joined the Union Army. Both were members of Company G, Indiana 8th Calvary Regiment where Day was a Corporal. David survived the war being discharged late 1864. Unfortunately his brother William was taken sick in 1862 and died of disease. William is buried in Nashville National Cemetery in Tennessee.

At the end of the War Day and his family left for Missouri. He lived briefly in Shannon County, then they moved on to Texas County and finally to Dent County where Day and his descendants settled permanently. Day like his father before was a man of the land, a farmer.

While in Texas County Day married Lucinda E Dewitt on 12 Jan 1969. She died bef 1872 and he then married Mahala J Prince 13 Jun 1872 in Texas County. Together they conceived 9 known children that they raised mostly in Dent County having moved there early in the marriage. Mahala died in 1886 shortly after her last son Alva Wilford was born. Their children were: Laura, George, Thomas, James, Massey, William, Samuel, Alva, and Charles.

14 Mar 1889 Day married his 3rd wife Ditha Summers Bedwell, a widow with 2 sons. Ditha and Day added 8 more known children to the family. Their children were Alfred, Amos, Sarah, Mary, Jesse, Martha, Robert and Maudie.

Day passed away on 4 July 1913 in Jadwyn and according to Ozark Heritage Dent County Missouri Area Cemeteries & Families Vol III 1994 Page 258 STEELMAN DAY AARON and 2 inf. ch. (crippled) are buried on the homeplace in Pine Hollow.

Aaron David "Day" Steelman is considered the forerunner of the area Steelman family per the same book.
-Judy Diaz