Wilford Day Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-039

Scope and Contents

The Wilford Day Collections include personal photographs and documents collected during his life. Included are images of family and friends, the Branch Agricultural College of Utah, the Utah House of Representatives and Day's farming and other business interests.

Documents in the collection relate to Day's personal history, of and a personal history, other writings and a brief life sketch about Wilford and his wife, Elizabeth Scott Day, written by daughter-in-law, Arvilla H. Day in 1972.

Dates

Creation: 1901 - 1941

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open and freely available to researchers during Special Collections hours.

Conditions Governing Use

The Wilford Day Collection is the physical property of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the library for information regarding specific use of this collection.

Biographical / Historical

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Wilford Day was born on 8 May 1870 in Kanarraville Utah, to Thomas and Charlotte Clark Day. The family moved to Parowan when he was a small child. Due to the families' economic troubles, Wilford and his brother shared a set of clothes. Wilford went to school every other day, when it was his turn to wear the clothing. Later he would herd sheep for others and receive animals in payment.

From 1904-1906 he Served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to Great Brittian. Wilford married Elizabeth Scott on 13 July 1898.

Day was active in both the political and religious life of Iron Conty. He was elected to the Iron County School Board and the Board of Iron County commission in 1902. In 1907 and he was elected Mayor of Parowan. Between 1910 and 1932 he was then elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket, where he served until 1932. During this time, he was also on the Board of Trustees of the Utah State Agricultural College from 1926-1930.

During World War II he acted as Chairman of the Iron County Defense Council, served as the County Food Administrator and was active in the Red Cross and Liberty Bond Drives. At the time of his death, he was a member of the State Planning Board. Day was heavily involved in agriculture and commerce. Including, sheep breeding, being nationally known for his work in the field. He took his animals all over the country to shows and auctions. In the late 1910's Day started working on bringing water for irrigation from the other side of the mountain. Wilford became the president of the Parowan Reclamation Company in 1920. And worked on the construction of the Yankee Meadow Tunnell, and diversifying cash crops within the area. He helped found the Bank of Iron County and was the director of several mercantile and cooperative ventures. He was best known for Day Farms and Livestock. In his private life Day was also active in the LDS church, where he served as the Parowan Stake President from 1916-1920. He also served as the Chairman of the Building Committee for chapels in Parowan, Utah.

Wilford died at the family home on Day Farms, just outside of Parowan, Utah on 20 October 1941.

Full Extent

.2 Linear Feet : 1 box

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Wilford Day collection follows no obvious organization plan other than the three main series with Series I being the only one with Sub-Series.

I. Photographs A. Family and Friends B. Branch Agricultural Collete C. Utah House of Representatives Trip to BAC D. Farming and other interests E. Area Business

II. Personal history

III. Other Writings

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection is believed to have been donated by Wilford May's daughter, Alberta (Elberta) Morris. However, the items listed in her donation, are not in this collection. As of 9/27/2024 no other documentation about this donation exists.