The Bailey Families of Clay County, Iowa

WILLIAM B. BAILEY.

William B. Bailey, an agriculturist of note of Clay township, this county, came here in the early '60s and settled on a raw prairie land. Since that time, through hard work, he has transformed the crude and primitive ground into fertile fields, from which he is driving abundant and lucrative harvests, and now in his seventy-eighth year he may rest from active labor and enjoy the fruits of his many years of toil. His birth occurred in Berlin, Washington county, Wermont, on January 22, 183 1, a son of Ebenezer and Sallie (Benjamin) Bailey. His father was also a native of that place, where he was born May 10, 1796, and where he spent his life in general farming, passing away in the year 1867. In politics he was a democrat and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was well known throughout the community as a substantial citizen and did much during his life toward improving the place in which he resided. His mother, also a native of the state of Vermont, spent her entire life there and was laid to rest with her husband. They reared a family of ten children, namely: Abigail, Ozas, Alsina, Frederick and Emory, all deceased; William B., whose name introduces this sketch; Eliza and Sommers, deceased; Eben, an agriculturist of this township; and Joshua, a retired farmer residing in Williamstown, Vermont.

The early days of William B. Bailey were spent on his father's farm where he passed through the usual experiences common to the country lad, engaging in agricultural duties during the summer months and in the winter attending the district school. Having completed his studies in the common schools he remained at home for while, and was then given the advantages of two terms of study in the high school. At the age of twenty years he applied himself to farm work, which he followed for a few years, when, upon becoming confident of his own ability to conduct an agricultural business independently, he repaired to Iowa, in company with a brother and a nephew. He settled on section 14, the land at that time being in a crude state, obviously requiring hard work and constant application before it was put in a condition for the production of crops. But Mr. Bailey was equal to the task, and being then a young man full of vigor and inspired with ambition, he was not balked by difficulties nor retarded by discouragements, and in the course of time had this land in the finest possible shape for raising general crops. In addition to growing hay and grain crops he also paid some attention to stock-raising, but in recent years he has given up the active duties of his place, and, resigning, the management of the farm to his son, he is now living in retirement.

In the year 1852 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Jane Alexander, and to them were born the following children: Lizzie, deceased; Henry, who is an agriculturist residing near Savannah; and Emma, deceased. The mother departed this life in the year 1858, and later Mr. Bailey wedded Alma Wells, who departed this life in 1908, and by whom he had five children, namely: Willy and Gertie, deceased; Charles B., a lumber dealer of Dickens, this state; Edwin H., who resides in Spencer, this state; and Wels, at home. Mr. Bailey has always given his political support to the democratic party and during his years of activity served a number of terms as school director. His religious convictions are on the side of that denomination known as the Disciples of Christ, in which he serves in the capacity of deacon, and is also a liberal supporter. Mr. Bailey's life has been such as to give him high standing in the eyes of the community and he is generally recognized as a man whose long years of earnest labor in this township have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have also been a boon to the community at large.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Eben Bailey, who for many years has been influentially associated with the farming and stock-raising, interests of Clay township, this county, and who is a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Berlin, Vermont, August 23, 1837, a son of Ebenezer and Sallie (Benjamin) Bailey, both natives of Vermont, where they spent their entire lives, the mother passing away in 1867. Eben Bailey acquired his preliminary education at the district schools of his native village and was subsequently given the added advantage of a course of study in a well known academy at Berry, Vermont. He remained at home with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, when he removed to Mount Holly, Vermont, where he was engaged in business at the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, joining Company H, Fourteenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 13, 1863, during his military career participating in the battle of Gettysburg. After the war he returned to Mount Holly, Vermont, where he engaged in business until the year 1869, when he went to Des Moines, Iowa, remaining there until 1870, when he located in Clay township, taking, up a claim of eighty acres in section 14, in which section his brother, William B. Bailey, also took up a claim. The land being in a primitive state when Mr. Bailey settled upon it, he was required to make all of the necessary improvements in order to transform it into a fit state for cultivation. This he succeeded in doing and the property is provided with a comfortable home, commodious barn, outbuildings and all conveniences necessary to successfully pursue general farming and stock raising. From the onset Mr. Bailey met with success in his farming venture, his fields from year to year proving fruitful, which enabled him to add to his tract from time to time until now he owns one hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of the finest farms in the township.

On October 17, 1859. he was united in marriage to Miss Alary J. Jackson, a native of Berlin, X'vermont, who became the mother of the following children: Bertie R., who was born November 17. 1860, and departed this life on February 10, three years later; Percy, born April 23, 1866, and passed away February 7, 1873; and Mnnie B., whose birth occurred April 3, 1874, and who died when fourteen years of age. The wife and mother passed away on April 1, 1888. On June 28, 1890, Mr. Bailey wedded Miss Hattie Nichelson, who was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. December 15, 1862, and they have had the following children: Nina E., born June 26, 1891; Marshall H., born February 16, 1893; Lloyd E., whose birth occurred June 19, 1894; Grace E., who was born November 14, one year later; Ester E., whose birth occurred February 10, 1898; Dwight L, born November 25, 1899; Morris J., who is in his eighth year; and Mainard W., who is three years of age. Mr. Piailey is a member of Royal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., having affiliated himself with the order at Wallingford, Vermont, in the year 1863, and is also a member of Clay Chapter No. 112. Mr. Bailey is one of the financial supports of the community whose success and prosperity are due to his own exertion and he entertains the respect of the entire community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLTON B. BAILEY.

In a history of the business development of Dickens it is imperative that mention be made of Charlton B. Bailey, who is well known in the town as a lumber merchant and although his connection with commercial interests here has covered only a comparatively brief period, he had in his farming operations demonstrated his business worth and reliability. He was born in Montpelier, Vermont, August 20, 1869, and was a son of William and Alma (Wells) Bailey, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The father was a son of Eben Bailey, who was likewise born in Vermont, and followed the occupation of farming for many years. He was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his death. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also born in the Green Mountain state and devoted his energies to the shoemaker's trade. William Bailey has always been an agriculturist. He continued his residence in New England until 1870, when he removed westward with his family to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and then continued his journey by team to Royal, Clay county. In this county he homesteaded eighty acres of land and with characteristic energy began to cultivate and improve that farm, upon which he still makes his home. In 1908 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in the summer of that year. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Bailey belongs to the Christian church. Unto them were born five children: Charlton B., of this review; Edwin H., a resident of Spencer, Iowa; Thomas W., of Royal, Iowa; and two who died in early life.

Charlton B. Bailey was only about a year old when his parents left Vermont and therefore he was reared on the home farm in Clay county, where he early became familiar with various tasks which claim the time and energies of the farm boy. He attended the district schools until he had mastered the elementary branches of learning and later continued his studies in the Spencer high school.

He pursued a business course in the Western Normal School at Shenandoah, Iowa. Following his graduation from that institution he engaged in teaching to the age of twenty-eight years, when he began farming on his own account and tilled the soil for two years. He had a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which he later sold, for he found commercial pursuits more congenial. He then became manager of a lumberyard for the Superior Lumber Company at Royal, where he remained several years and for a brief period was also manager for the Royal Lumber Company at the same place. He then exchanged his farm for the lumberyard at Dickens, formerly owned by Somers Brothers, and on the 23d of April, 1908, came to this town, where he has since conducted business on his own account. He has a well equipped lumberyard and his interests are now carefully conducted, his previous experience in the trade well qualifying him for the duties which now devolve upon him.

On the 15th of March, 1897, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Dora M. Dumkrieger, a daughter of Fred and Mary Dumkrieger. She was born near Sigourney, Iowa, and her parents were natives of Germany. On coming to America they settled in New York and afterward removed to Iowa, casting in their lot with the early residents in the vicinity of Sigourney, where the death of Mrs. Dumkrieger occurred in January, 1907. The father is still living.

In matters of citizenship Mr. Bailey manifests a spirit of helpfulness and progress. He votes with the republican party, while fraternally he is connected with Sunset Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Royal, Clay Chapter, No. 112. R. A. M., and Dickens Lodge, No. 583, I. O. O. F. His business interests are well controlled and his laudable ambition is leading him into important trade relations.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

T. L. BAILEY.

T. L. Bailey, now living retired, is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war and for a long time was actively and successfully engaged in business, the energy which he displayed therein bringing to him the success that now enables him to rest from further labor save for the supervision of his investments. He was born in Waitfield, Vermont, June 24, 1848, and is a representative of an old New England family, his parents being Andrew C. and x-\resina (Bailey)

Bailey. The father was born in BerHn, Wermont, in which state he always resided, devoting his attention to general farming. His death occurred in 1898. The family, probably, springs from English ancestry. The mother, also a native of the Green:\Iountain state, died there in 1863, T. L. Bailey being their only child. After the death of his first wife the father married again, his second union being with:Mrs. Emma Eddy, and unto them were born four children; Ida. the wife of E. O. Macintosh, of Aermont: Susie, the wife of Elmer Scott; May, the wife of Arthur Bailey; and Myrtle, the wife of Edgar McNichol..-Ml are residents of Yermont.

In the graded schools of Montpelier, X'vermont, T. L. Bailey acquired his education. He remained at home until sixteen years of age and then enlisted as a member of Company E, of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, on the lath of August, 1864. Although but a boy in years, he did valiant duty and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, the war having been brought to a close. He had participated in the three days" fight at Petersburg, in the battle of Hatchers Run and Welden Raid, and had followed Lee to Poplar Grove, in a six days' running fight. In the ten months of his service he saw active duty, becoming familiar with all of the experiences meted out to the soldier. On his return from the war he again took up his above at Montpelier. where he remained a short time, and then removed to Rutland, Yermont, where, for four years, he acted as salesman in the store of Mr. \V. H. B. Owens. The opportunities of the west, however, attracted him and, believing that he would have a better chance to improve his financial condition beyond the Mississippi, he made his way to Clay county and secured as a homestead claim the northeast corner of section 22, Clay township, in 1870. Upon the farm which he there developed he remained thirty years. During that period he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and made many substantial improvements and he still owns that land. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and his farming operations brought him creditable success. In 1901 he removed to Royal and as indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, he felt that he could not be content to have no business pursuit, so devoted three years to clerking in a store. Since that time he has lived retired, in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. In addition to the home place he owns eighty acres of land on section 13, Clay township, and his wife has some property in the town, including a store building. Starting out empty-handed, Mr. Bailey has accumulated a comfortable competence. He deserves much credit for what he has done. He has witnessed many changes since coming to the county, which was a pioneer district at the time of his arrival. He had made the journey westward with two other farmers and together they owned but the one team of horses, their financial resources being too limited to enable each to own a team.

It was in 1868 that Mr. Bailey was married to liss Julia A. Smith, who was born in Roxbury, Yermont, in 1849. 'e was a daughter of"Alvin and Susan (Lewis) Smith. Her father is now living in Barre, \>mont, while the mother died in January, 1854. In their family were six children, Emery L., Gilbert O., Sanford S., Amelia, Mrs. Bailey and Edwin F. After losing his first wife ]\Mr. Smith was again married, the second union being with Miss Wienna Williams, whom he wedded in 1861. They had one son, Alvin J., now of Massachusetts.

The Smith family came of Welsh and English ancestry. Unto ]Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born two children. Ozias T., born in February, 1873, is now a member of the firm of Bailey Brothers & Albers, dealers in implements at Royal. George L., born in Xovember, 1878, is also a member of the firm. The elder son married IMiss Laura L. Thomas and has two children, Wendell L., born in 1900, and Blanch L., in 1903. George L. Bailey wedded Miss Marie Albers, of Royal.

In his political views Mr. Bailey has long been a stalwart democrat and, though he has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he is very loyal to the best interests of the community and has served as both secretary and treasurer of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He belongs to Peterson Post of the G. A. R., in which he has passed through all of the chairs, and he has likewise filled the various offices in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Royal. Both he and his wife are connected with Rebekah Lodge and Mrs. Bailey belongs also to the W'oman's Relief Corps, of Peterson. They frequently attend the Willow Creek Methodist Episcopal church and have assisted in building several churches. Well known in this county, where they have resided from pioneer times, they well deserve representation in this volume, for their social qualities have made them many friends, while the business record of Mr. Bailev is most creditable and enviable.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.