T. L. Bailey

As printed in 1909

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 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.