Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 267

JOSIAH DAY, a leading and progressive farmer of Sweetland Township, residing on section 3, was born July 13, 1828, in Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Samuel and Hannah ( Cooper ) day, who were the parents of eight children---Maria, Elmus, Emaline, Josiah, Cephas, Samuel A., John W., and Ann Eliza. The four sons are yet living, while the daughters are all deceased. Hannah ( Cooper ) Day was born in New Jersey, and was a daughter of Zebula and Mary Cooper.

Our subject traces his family connection back to Daniel and Sarah ( Karnes ) Day. the former born in Morris County, N. J.., Jan. 20, 1762, and the latter on Long Island, March 3, 1765. The founder of this branch of the Day family in this country emigrated from England a long time prior to the Revolutionary War. Daniel Day and Sarah Karnes were married Dec. 25, 1782, and soon after removed to Washington County, Pa., and were among the earliest settlers in that part of the State, living there when the country was infested with savage Indians, and when at night the few white families had to take refuge in the fort for safety.

Josiah Day, the subject of this sketch, passed his boyhood days in his native county, and was there educated in the common schools. In 1866 he left his native State, and emigrated to Iowa, settling in Sweetland Township, Muscatine County, where he has since made his home. On the 4th day of May, 1854, he led to the marriage altar Phoebe J. Minton, their union being celebrated in Washington County, Pa. The lady was born in that county Aug. 23, 1832, and is a daughter of John amd Delilah ( Parkinson ) Minton. The children of her father's family were; Milton G., who was born Oct. 23, 1830, and now resides in Washington County, Pa.; Phoebe J., the honored wife of our subject; Eunice, born April 8, 1834, is the widow of Daniel Dunn; John N., born Jan.1, 1842, was united in marriage Jan.11, 1866 with Maggie Dunn, and is now living in Washington County, Pa.; T. W., born Aug. 12, 1848, became the husband of Jennie Adams, in January, 1871, and is now residing on the old homestead in Pennsylvania; Samantha, born on the 6th of August, 1852, became the wife of James Montgomery, also a resident of Washington County, in October, 1875.

Six children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Day, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Laura C., the eldest, born April 29, 1855, is the wife of Ezra Dorn, a stock-dealer and banker of Danbury, Woodbury Co., Iowa, their marriage having been celebrated May 20, 1886; Belle S., born Oct. 2, 1857, resides at home; Mary L., born Jan. 4, 1861, wedded A. B. Raub, a resident farmer of this county, and a son of Harrison Raub, one of its oldest settlers; J. W., born Feb.7, 1863, was educated at Parson's College at Fairfield, Iowa, and is now engaged in teaching school in Fulton Township; Addison N., born May 18, 1867, and Goldsmith O., born Nov.24, 1873, are still inmates of the parental home.

Since coming to Muscatine County, in 1866, Mr. Day has been engaged in farming in Sweetland Township. Commencing life with a very small capital he has achieved success by his own efforts of industry and perseverance. His farm now comprises 490 acres of fine land, which pays a golden tribute to his care and cultivation, his barns and out-buildings are models of convenience, his stock is of the best grades, and no more comfortable or happy home can be found in the county. For thirty years Mr. Day and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian Church, during which time they have been numbered among its most active workers. They rank high in the social world of Muscatine County, and are greatly esteemed by all. Portraits of this estimable couple are found upon another page.


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