Charlton B. Bailey

As printed in 1909

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 History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.