George W Day

Photographer: Geo. W Day
Norristown and
Phoenixvillw, PA

It appears there were five photographers named George Day in the cabinet card era. And three of them were George W. Day. While following the life of the photographer George W Day, many other men by that name were found living nearby. In Philadelphia alone there was a secretary, a laborer, a bookkeeper, a carpenter, a tailor and a roofer, all named George W Day, at the same time as photographer Day.

Timeline: US census, city directories, newspaper items as noted

1853 Mar 02
Pennsylvania George W Day is born to B Frank Day and Almira Douglass
1865 Nov 28
birth of sister in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania shows where family is located
1873
Pottsville, PA, city directory George W Day NOT listed
1874 - 1876
Pottsville, PA, city directory not available
1877
Pottsville, PA, city directory George W Day as photographer at 7 w Broad
1880
Tamaqua, PA, US census as photographer
1880
G W Day marries Annie M Taylor whose family also lives in Tamaqua, PA

1882
Norristown, PA city directory as photographer at Cope and Day, 81 e Main (with John L Cope); res Veranda House
1884
Norristown, PA, city directory as photographer at Cope and Day, 81 e Main (with John L Cope), res 525 Cherry
1886
Norristown, PA, city directory as photographer at 81 e Main, also frames and stationary; res Cherry bel Penn
1887
Pennsylvania, PA, daughter Margaret E Day is born
1888
Norristown, PA, city directory as photographer at Cope and Day, 317 DeKalb, res 325 Cherry
1890
Pennsylvania, PA, daughter Anna Day is born
1890 through 1898
Norristown, PA, city directory as photographer at 317 DeKalb also art goods; res 1206 Powell
1892
Pennsylvania son Frank D Day is born
1896 Jul 13
Philadelphia, PA, Times news item fire destroys Day gallery
1896 Sep
Pennsylvania daughter Dorothy is born
1899
Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer news item Mrs G W Day visits mother Mrs William Taylor

1900
Norristown, PA, US census as photographer; res 1222 Powell
1902
Norristown, PA, city directory as salesman; res 1222 Powell
1903
Norristown, PA, city directory not available
1904
Norristown, PA, city directory George W Day NOT listed
So sometime in or after 1903, George, wife Annie, and children move from Norristown, PA, and he apparently quits the photography and art supply business and never returns.
1904
Philadelphia, PA, city directory, only business listings available, G W Day NOT listed
1905
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as solicitor; res 1542 Ruan
1906
Philadelphia PA, city directory as superintendent; res 1542 Ruan
1907
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as collector; res 1542 Ruan
1908
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as collector; res 1516 Arrott rd

-continued in next row-

1909
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as clerk; res 1516 Arrott Fkd
1910
Philadelphia, PA, US census as collector for Electric Lighting co; res 1516 Arrott
1918, 1919
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as collector; res 1516 Arrott
1920
Philadelphia, PA, US census as collector electrical; res 1516 Arrott
1921 - 1924
Philadelphia, PA, city directory as collector; res 1516 Arrott
1925
Philadelphia, PA, city directory NOT listed
G W Day and family might possibly have moved to a rural residence as a small news item suggests. And perhaps not as it is a city address on his death certificate
1925
Philadelphia, PA death certificate George W Day dies of chronic myocarditis at age 72; address is 1203 Overington

It should be mentioned that there was also a George W Day, photographer, in Hoboken, NJ, working at 628 Washington between 1895 and 1898. This is a different photographer. There was also a photographer named George W Day in Brooklyn, NY in 1890 and 1891. These two records may be the same person but there is no indication that Pennsylvania George W Day was ever in Hoboken, NJ, or Brooklyn, NY. It looks as if it was two possibly three, separate photographers.

This cabinet card must have been finished in that period after George W Day’s partnership ended with John L Cope in 1886, and before leaving Norristown, PA, about 1900. The weight and simple printing of the card suggests the earlier part of that period.

The (Philadelphia, PA) Times - 13 Jul 1896

The Philadelphia Inquirer - 04 Jun 1899

The Harrisburg (PA)Telegraph - 05 Mar 1925

Yes, possibly the above clipping refers to a completely different George W Day. Philadelphia photographer Day had a son named Frank and the family seems to disappear from Philadelphia, PA, the same year. So, it's possible this is the same family.

The Philadelphia Inquirer - 27 Nov 1925

photographer: George W Day
De Kalb St at Main
example from contributor

photographer: George W Day
De Kalb St at Main
example from contributor

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

Cabinet cards typically have the photographer’s name and address printed on the bottom edge or the reverse of the card. 19th century photographers moved around a lot. The basic idea here is to find WHEN a photographer was WHERE, which will help date an unidentified CABINET CARD from your family album.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and New examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.