An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 365-366A portrait of Mr. Day
appears between pages 364-365
	
	BENJAMIN F. DAY. -- One of the prominent and representative citizens of
Seattle is Mr. Benjamin F. Day, who for years has been closely identified with
the city's best interests, and who has contributed largely to her material
progress and improvement. Mr. Day was born near Oberlin, Ohio, on January 16,
1835. His parents were John and Amanda (Harmon) Day, natives respectively of
Vermont and New York. The Day family were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio,
and were prominent developers of farm, orchard and agricultural interests, and
exercised a salutary influence upon the inceptive destiny of the young State.
Our subject was one of fifteen children. Owing to the vicissitudes and meager
opportunities of pioneer life, his boyhood was passed in farm labor, although he
aimed to improve the educational facilities offered by the winter schools,
frequently walking five miles to the little log schoolhouse, and then receiving
but very modest advantages. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years
of age, aiding in the general support of the family. In 1856 he struck out for
self-support, turning his face to the great West. He farmed in western Ohio,
Illinois and Iowa up to 1875, and then, in partnership with his two brothers,
Levi B. and Edwin, the former being now a prominent stock and grain operator in
Chicago and the latter a successful farmer of Ohio, purchased three sections of
land (640 acres each) in Atchison county, Missouri, where they engaged in
raising grain and fattening hogs and cattle for market, with our subject as
general manager. Their cornfield frequently embraced 1,280 acres in one body,
and the entire product would be fed upon the ranch.
	Through unfortunate stock speculations, however, and with health impaired by
overwork upon the farm, our subject quit the ranch, in 1879, and came to the
Territory of Washington, reduced both in health and finances. He spent the first
winter in Walla Walla, and came to Seattle in the spring of 1880. With very
limited resources he began work in the Commercial Mill, but finding the duties
too arduous, and having in the meantime made some profitable sales in real
estate, he soon left the mill and devoted his attention to real-estate business,
in which he has met with flattering success. He has made several additions in
the vicinity of Lake Union and has handled large blocks of acre property in and
about that locality. He is at present the owner of considerable improved and
unimproved real estate of much value. His home place, situated in Fremont, on
the Lake Union street railway line, is one of the most beautiful of the many
handsome demesnes in and around Seattle. It comprises thirty acres of highly
improved land, upon which he has erected a large and elegant residence, the
latter being surrounded by most beautiful lawns, diversified by parterres of
pleasing design, the grounds being in season a veritable bower of roses.
	Mr. Day was one of the organizers of the Washington Improvement Company, of
which he served as vice-president and manager, and he took an active part in
opening the first canal or waterway between Salmon Bay and Lake Washington. He
has also been a promoter in every interest and enterprise which has concerned
the upbuilding and development of Seattle, and to-day is regarded as one of the
most enterprising and public-spirited men in Seattle, enjoying the esteem and
respect of all who know him. The B.F. Day Public School is a living and lasting
monument to his memory, as he donated twenty lots, 40x 120 feet each, to the
city for school purposes, and the school was named in his honor.
	Mr. Day has played a prominent and conspicuous part in the political and
municipal history of Seattle, as well in its material development, and as in the
latter, so also in the former his energies and influences exerted for the
benefit and general good of the city. He was elected to the city council from
the third ward about 1883, and at the ensuing election was returned to that body
by an almost unanimous vote, notwithstanding a most bitter and relentless
opposition was accorded him by the tough element of the city. The enmity of this
element was occasioned by the stand taken by Mr. Day for all that was good and
moral, and against all that was low and vicious in the affairs of the city. He
took a firm and uncompromising stand against the low dives and bawdy-houses of
the city, and labored devotedly and unceasingly for their abolishment, He was
first elected on the Prohibition ticket, and lived up to the promises made
during the campaign, and singularly enough he was the only one of that council
who was re-elected at the following election, a fact which clearly demonstrated
that honesty and purity in city officials command respect. For three months of
his term as councilman he stood alone and battled single-handed in his efforts
to improve the morals of the city. He was harassed and hampered on every side.
He could not secure seconds to his motions and was thus prevented by
parliamentary usages from getting many of his plans and measures before the
council for consideration or record. He was chairman of the committee on gas and
lights, but his bills were not allowed, the council endeavoring by this means to
whip him into line. He, however, fought it out alone and single-handed, and in
the end triumphed to a great extent, as, in company with other good citizens, he
went to Olympia and secured from the legislature a new city charter, thereby
gaining the support of one member of the council, who, seconding his motions,
permitted Mr. Day to bring his measures before the council and upon the records.
This strife was maintained throughout his entire time in the council, and he
thus won the respect and esteem of all lovers of good government and clean city
morals.
	During the Chinese troubles in Seattle Mr. Day took a prominent part, again
exerting himself in behalf of law, order and justice, though his course was
fraught with imminent personal danger, his life being at times in jeopardy.
	Mr. Day was married, in Ohio, in 1859, to Miss Frances H. Smith. As to
social orders, he affiliates with the I.O.O.F. fraternity.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.