A well kept farm of two hundred and forty acres is an indication of
the business ability of Edward W. Day, of Virden township, who is also
known as one of the enterprising citizens of Macoupin county. He was
born in Jersey county, January 7, 1863, a son of Ira T. and Fanny
(Purdy) Day, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter
of New York state. The father was one of the pioneers of Illinois,
arriving in this state in 1835. He traveled by wagon from Vermont, as
there were no’ railroads in the country at that time, and about a month
after he had established his home in the wilderness his horses
disappeared but were afterwards found on their way back to their old
home in the east, having traveled over one hundred miles before they
were retaken. Mrs. Day died February 14, 1863, leaving one child, Edward
W., the subject of this review, who was then only five weeks old. Mr.
Day was again married, selecting as the lady of his choice Miss
Catharine Magee, and to this union one child, Flora, was born. She is
now the wife of Joseph Ebers, of Virden. The father died in 1906, being
then well advanced in years. He was a man of many admirable traits of
character and was a worthy type of the brave spirits that founded the
great state of Illinois and made possible the prosperous cities and
beautiful homes that now dot the country from the great lakes to the
gulf.
Edward W. Day attended the public schools and under his
father became thoroughly acquainted with the details pertaining to
agriculture and stock-raising. He continued on the home farm until
twenty-two years of age and then began business on his own account by
renting one hundred and twenty acres. Soon afterwards he purchased
eighty acres and has since added to his farm as his resources permitted
until he is now the owner of one of the most valuable places of its size
in the township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and
through the application of sound judgment he has met with merited
prosperity at the same time, through his straightforward business
methods, commanding confidence and respect wherever he is known.
On the 14th of April, 1886, Mr. Day was married to Miss Anna Tagg, a
daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Luckman) Tagg. The parents were both
born in England and came to America, settling at Virden. To the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Tagg three children were born, namely: Jennie, who is the
wife of James Kitner, of Jacksonville, Illinois; William, deceased; and
Anna, now Mrs. Edward W. Day. Mr. and Mrs. Day are the parents of two
children: Howard W., a resident of Virden; and Henrietta, who lives at
home. Mr. Day has for many years taken an active interest in politics
and from the time of reaching manhood has been identified with the
republican party. He is a valued member of the Christian church and is
connected with the Woodmen and the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He and
his wife are greatly interested in all worthy movements that aim to
advance the permanent welfare of the region and are highly esteemed for
their genial and unselfish qualities. He is fully imbued with the
progressive ideas that have made Illinois one of the richest states of
the Union and is recognized as a man of fine business judgment.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 685-686.
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