Phebe Bailey 1843-1913

BAILEY, BERRY, RIFLEY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/13/2018 at 11:30:56

8 May 1913 - West Branch Times

Phebe Bailey, who departed this life May 2, 1913, was a daughter of Jesse and Clarinda Berry, pioneers of Johnson county. She was born in Iowa City, March 4, 1843. Her father was the first school teacher in Iowa City. He became a leading business man and held at different periods several public offices, including that of mayor. He was killed in the historic tornado of 1858 while visiting his farm four miles east of Iowa City. Phebe lived with her widowed mother in Iowa City until her marriage with Dr. Bailey, Oct. 21, 1872, with whom she became acquainted while studying medicine at the University.

Dr. Bailey completed his course in the medical department of the State University of Iowa in 1874. On March 1st of the same year he opened his office in West Branch, which became their permanent home from that time on.

There were born to Dr. J. I. and Phebe Bailey, two daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Rifley and Miss Grace F. Bailey, both of whom survive their mother, who is also survived by a brother, Henry N. Berry of Rockway, California.

The funeral took place Sunday afternoon from the home in West Branch at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. W. R. Miles of the Friends church officiating. The interment was in the West Branch cemetery. Clark Gruwell, wife and daughter of Ames, Euclid Sanders and Horace Sanders and wife of Iowa City and Mrs. Winnie Larson and daughter of Fremont, Neb., were among those from a distance who attended the funeral.