Solano County Biographies

EDWARD W. DAY, M.D.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1831.  His father, during the Rebellion, 
was a real estate agent and farmer, and at the time of the advance-guard of 
Stewart�s Cavalry made a raid through Baltimore county he had the �Stars and 
Stripes� floating from the flag-staff in front of his house.  The rebels sought 
to pull it down, but were told by Mr. Day that if any one attempted so to do he 
would certainly be killed in the venture.  They did it; and he shot one man and 
wounded another, and, finding it growing too warm for him, he effected his 
escape to Baltimore City, where he remained.  On his departure the rebels burned 
his house and everything belonging to him.  He was at the time seventy-five 
years of age, and died nine years later, when eighty-four.  His son Edward, the 
subject of this sketch, in 1853, having passed through a course of medical 
studies, and graduated from the University of Maryland, left in that year for 
California, which he reached in May, and with his brother went to the mines 
about twelve miles from French Corral.  Shortly after his brother sold out, and 
they both went to Rogue River Valley, Oregon, where they prosecuted mining at 
Jackson Creek and vicinity, but, the Indians becoming troublesome and committing 
great depredations, the valley inhabitants were forced into hostilities, which 
eventuated in a treaty that was observed for only one short year, when the same 
tactics were again pursued by the aboriginals.  At this juncture volunteers were 
called out by the Governor, and on their formation Doctor Day acted as Assistant 
Surgeon of the Southern Battalion of the Oregon Volunteers.  They waged war with 
the Indians for eight or nine months, with the result of the enemy being 
dispersed.  In the year 1858 he left Oregon, and in June came to Vacaville, 
where he now resides.
 
History of Solano County � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley  & Co., East 
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 457-458