E. S. Day, M.D.

DAY

Posted By: Linda Smith
Date: 9/23/2025 at 14:07:54

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday , September 26th, 1935
Page 1

IN MEMORY OF DR. E. S. DAY
“The New Doctor.” Destined To 40 Years of Community Service Arrives in the 1890’s.

Only a few years before the turn of the Century, a smallish man wearing a VanDyke beard and derby hat drove into the quiet little quaker town of Earlham, put up his horses at the livery stable, took up his residence at the Windsor hotel and forthwith became known as “the new doctor.”

Old-time residents such as Mark Hill, J. R. Thomson and Noel Packard gave him a smile of welcome but shook their heads in misgivings. Were there not already Glen Maubsy and the Doctors Irwin, father and son? Nothing daunted the modest little sign, “Dr. E. S. Day” went up, there to remain for 40 eventful, useful years.

Those years of practice were but typical ones of a pioneer country doctor. Soon the community began to note the zest for hard work and service faithfully rendered and responded freely with open hand and heart. Horses and top buggy were tied at the hitch racks and were “the” news in town. Old timers will recall the bright day when his first rubber-tired, red buggy rolled down the street behind the familiar prancing “Snap” and “Topsy.”

It was those indispensable horses that prompted the location of the new home in the little pasture across the track in southwest Earlham, now known as the Junkin homestead. Here the large house and barn were erected. Here his family life began and was continued uninterrupted until his removal to northeast Earlham in 1914, where the new home was built and where the family since resided.

Shortly after 1900 the community began to be automobile conscious, and many will remember the excited comment on Fred Fritz’ first new car. Dr. Day soon followed with a gay red touring Ford Model “T.” Billy Hockenberry will testify that there were many years in which the car was practically useless except in the dry weather of summer. Billy was often the favorite companion on those terrible drives over frozen and drift filled road to Pitzer and elsewhere and with any others will recall the tragic difficulties encountered before the evolution of country roads.

Highlights in the Doctor’s life? Let those who needed him relate the stories of emergency met with efficiency and self-sacrifice.

Vacations? Only two trips to semi-distant points and a few visits to Minnesota lakes to enjoy his favorite pastime. Otherwise, his home improvement and enjoyment were his only diversion.

He was the Shining Light of devotion to his calling. This community will miss for a time the old familiar sign, which was taken down on Wednesday, September 25, 1935. Many will miss for a while his kindly ministrations, but the goodly life among us will never be forgotten.