Born at Vermillion, Ohio, on September 26, 1837. Mr. Bailey attended common school gaining the rudiments of an education, which he supplemented with a course at Oberon College in the years 1854 and 1855, after a period in business at Sandusky, Ohio. In 1856 with almost the first settlers, he came to Chickasaw county locating at Williamstown. When the war began he returned to Ohio and in September 1861, went to the front in order that he might enlist there and begin active service. He became a member of Company C, 7th regiment, Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was twice wounded, one at his wounds being received at the battle of Lookout Mountain. He was mustered out in June, 1865. The call at the West was still upon him, and the same year of his discharge he bought a flock of sheep and drove them all the way from Ohio to Chickasaw county. He began then a career of farmer, stockman, businessman and politician, which was destined to make him a more than a local power. He was united in marriage with Sarah P. Birdsall at Williamstown, January 6, 1870. They continued at farming for a year, and then for twenty years Mr. Bailey was in the store at Williamstown and the postmaster there. He was a member of the Boards of Supervisors for six years and represented Chickasaw in the state legislature in the Twenty-First General Assembly, 1886. Mr. Bailey was a member of all the Masonic bodies of New Hampton, and a member of the Cedar Rapids Shrine. He was prominent in G.A. circles holding his membership at Fredericksburg. Other fraternal societies which he honored with his membership were the Woodmen, the Elks and the Eagles.