William B. Bailey

As printed in 1909

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 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.