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 Inquirer - 04 Jun 1899
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.
Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.
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