ISAAC P. BAILEY

BAILEY, TOMBLINSON, HEMPHILL, HUMPHREYS

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 8/12/2004 at 21:12:25

Isaac P. Bailey, a representative and successful agriculturist residing in Prussia township, is the owner of an excellent farm embracing one hundred and fifty-three acres on sections 30 and 31. His birth occurred in Keokuk county, Iowa, January 9, 1872, his parents being Isaac and Ella (Tomblinson) Bailey, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Virginia. Isaac Bailey made his way to Keokuk county, this state, by ox team in 1861 and there carried on farming until he came to Adair county, purchasing a tract of land in Jackson township, three miles west of Fontanelle. This he operated continuously and successfully until 1895, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Greenfield, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. He has now attained the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife is sixty-five years old. The period of their residence in this county covers many years and they enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
Isaac P. Bailey was reared and educated in Jackson township, Adair county, and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land in Eureka township for two years, and renting land in Prussia township for ten years, on the expiration of which period he purchased his present farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres on sections 30 and 31, Prussia township. He has made many substantial improvements on the property and in its operation has won a gratifying measure of success, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. In connection with the production of cereals he makes a specialty of the raising of Chester White hogs, this branch of his business materially augmenting his income. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of the county.
On the 6th of December, 1893, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Kate Hemphill, a daughter of James and Mary (Humphreys) Hemphill, both of whom were natives of Missouri. They came to Adair county, Iowa, in 1874 and here the father successfully operated a farm throughout the remainder of his active business career. His last days were spent in honorable retirement at Fontanelle, where he passed away in September, 1906, at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow, who has now attained the age of seventy-six years, still makes her home in Fontanelle. James Hemphill served for six months of the Civil war as a member of a Missouri regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two children, Roy Otis and Cleo Maude, who are eighteen and fifteen years of age respectively.
Politically Mr. Bailey is a stanch advocate of the democracy and for the past seven years has served as township clerk, holding the office at the present time. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is well known among his fellow citizens and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him the longest is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire and hold regard, esteem and goodwill.
Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.