Stephen C. Bailey

As printed in 1887

TEPHEN C. BAILEY, engaged in mercantile pursuit? at Viola and also a farmer carrying on his vocation on section-1, Brown Township, is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Probosco) Bailey, natives of Virginia. The parents after marriage had a residence of some years in Virginia, when they removed to Belmont County, Ohio, thence to Morgan County, that State, and there labored until death. Eleven children were born to them, named, Elizabeth. Catherine, Jesse, William, Rebecca, Ellen, David, James, Stephen C, Benjamin, and one who died in infancy.

Stephen C. Bailey was born in Belmont County, Ohio, on the 6th day of August, 1 rs27. He was reared a farmer's boy and continued to labor at that vocation until twenty-one years of his life had passed. lie then followed boating on the Ohio River, and after three years of this kind of employment he worked at various occupations for two years longer. We next hear of him at Malta, Ohio, where for two years he was running a livery business, where he acted in the capacity of mine host," in the same place for another year, lie then-old out and in the fall of 1 s.'iT, we find he has crossed the Lather of Waters and taken up his above in Brown Township, this county. There, on section 1 1. he purchased eighty acres of land and for seven years was engaged in its cultivation, when he sold it and went to Jones County. Purchasing a farm of eighty acres there he lived on it for about ten years, when he sold it, returned to Brown Township, and bought 1 45 acres on section 14, which constitutes the farm on which he is living at the present time. In 1880 he rented his farm and embarked in the Lumber business at Viola, which after three years he disposed of.

In the fall of L885 Mr. Bailey bought the stock of merchandise owned by L. II. Larson. of Viola, and has since been engaged in the mercantile business at that place, lie keeps a general stock of merchandise, and by fair and honest dealing has built up a good trade. His landed interest in the county amounts to 155 acres, and is all under an advanced state of cultivation and valuable.

Our subject was married in Morgan County, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Laker, daughter of Martin and Nancy (Thompson) Laker, natives of Virginia. Her parents settled in Morgan County, Ohio, where the father died. They had seven children and Mrs. Bailey of this notice is the second in order of birth. Morgan County. Ohio, is her native place, and June 12, 1827, the date of her birth. Of her union with our subject four children — Clara.1., Nancy E.. Delana S. ami John M. — have been born. Clara is the wife of J. L. Sherwood and they are living in Viola; Nancy E. married C. S. Shanklin, of Springville, and whose biography appears in this work; Delana S. and John M. are living in Viola. Our subject is a member of the Spring ville Lodge, A. E. &

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.