Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 304
E. P. DAY, of the firm of McCampbell & Day, undertakers, and dealers in furniture, in Muscatine, Iowa, was born in this city on the 24th of March, 1843, and is a son of Irad C. and Zetta ( Mead ) Day. His father was born in Essex Centre, Vt., in 1805, was of Scotch descent, and was a lawyer by profession. In 1836 or 1837 he emigrated with his family to Iowa, locating at Bloomington, now the city of Muscatine, where he became prominent in public affairs, and was afterwrad chosen Recorder of the county in 1841, being the second to fill that office. In 1846 he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Iowa Legislature, and was re-elected in 1848. He was at one time associated with Judge S. C. Hastings in the practice of law. In 1846, his wife dying, he returned to Vermont, where he later married Miss Frances Morgan, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Morgan. There were four children born of the first marriage : The eldest, a son, died in infancy; Theodore M. married Miss Julia M. Arnold, and resides at Ishpeming, Mich.; Ebenezer P. wedded Miss Jennie M. Chattaway, daughter of Job Chattaway, an early settler of Muscatine; and Josephine, the only daughter, is the wife of Edwin Hill, of Sioux City, Iowa. Of the second marriage there was but one child, Charles M., who died in infancy, his death occurring July 25, 1850. Mr. Day died the following day, and his wife the next day, all dying of cholera within the space of three days. The first Mrs. Day, the mother of our subject, was born in Greenwich, Conn., and was a lineal descendant of Maj. Gen. Mead, of the Revolutionary War.

In 1860 our subject went to Connecticut and attended the academy at Winchester, that State, returning to Muscatine in the spring of 1863. On the 27th of March of that year he enlisted as a member of Company E, 18th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war, mustering out at Davenport, Iowa, on the 5th of August, 1865. He was in the Red River expedition under Gen. Steele, and took part in the battles of Moscow and Prairie de Anne. On his return from the war he was engaged in the ferry business at Muscatine for two years, or until he lost his boat. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff, filling that position two years, and later was appointed and served as Deputy Auditor and Deputy Clerk of this county. His services in the county offices continued from 1867 to 1878, when he accepted the position of Deputy Collector of the United States Internal Revenue at Davenport, and served in that capacity for a period of five years, resigning April 1, 1883. He had previously, on the 5th of February, 1883, bought into his present business with Mr. McCampbell. The firm does an extensive undertaking business, and carry a large and fine stock of furniture.

At Muscatine, Iowa, in 1873, Mr. Day was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Chattaway, and three children have been born of that union; Lyle C., now aged twelve years; Walter W., aged five years, and Anna N., who died when only a month old. All were born in this city. Mr. Day is an adherent and his wife is a member of the Congregational Church. He is also a member of Muscatine Lodge No. 99, A.O.U.W., of Iowa Legion of Honor, and of the order of Knights of Maccabees, Muscatine Tent No. 9. He is a Republican in political sentiment, and has been a consistent member of that party since becoming a voter. An enterprising business man, Mr. Day is held in high esteem for his manly, straightforward course in all his relations with his fellow citizens, both in public and private affairs.

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