09/22/2026
In 1911, having an “illegitimate” child carried a heavy stigma. Edward Day’s State School record, though he was here for only five months, contains details that give us a glimpse into the circumstances surrounding his young life.
The record says:
“Marie is single and German Catholic. The father is American and was living with his parents. Edward is illegitimate and the mother works as a housemaid and is unable to provide for him. Both parents lived in Faribault, but the current whereabouts of the father is unknown.”
Edward arrived at the State School on September 15, 1911, accompanied by a Rice County commissioner and his mother’s sister, Gertrude. Less than a month later, on October 9, Marie and Gertrude stopped to visit baby Edward on their way to Wisconsin.
Then, just before Christmas, Marie sent a card and message to Superintendent Merrill, inquiring about her baby.
Edward’s stay at the State School ended far too soon. After battling bronchitis for some time, the little boy died on March 9. His death certificate lists the cause as “atelectasis,” a partial or complete collapse of a lung.
Marie was notified by phone. She and Gertrude returned to the State School to make arrangements for Edward’s burial and to attend his funeral. They chose to have him buried in the Children’s Cemetery. State Agent H. J. Jager performed the service.
We can’t know what Edward’s life might have been like had he been able to remain with his mother. But one thing is clear from the record: Marie had not forgotten her little boy. She had visited him, written about him, and came back when he died.
A few years later, Marie married. When she had another son, she named him Edward.
Marie lived to be 100 years old. She outlived her husband and both of her other children.
But she never had to forget her first little Edward.
