DAILEY, W. O. - 1914

DAILEY, SEARLES

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2009 at 04:21:44

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
By Thomas McCulla

W. O. DAILEY.

For an extended period the name of W. O. Dailey has figured prominently in connection with the educational interests of Cherokee county. At the present writing, however, he is filling the position of county auditor and is proving a most capable, systematic and trustworthy official. A native of the neighboring state of Illinois, he was born in Galesburg, May 4, 1866, and is a son of William M. and Eunice B. Dailey, who on coming to Iowa in 1870, settled in Wayne county. The father, a farmer by occupation, devoted his entire life to the work of tilling the soil, but he and his wife have now passed away.

W. O. Dailey was a little lad of but four summers when brought to Iowa, his youth being passed in Wayne county, where he entered the public schools and eventually became a high school pupil. Through the periods of vacation he worked at home upon the farm, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than agriculture he left home and entered upon the work of teaching school. In 1888 he arrived in Cherokee county and in 1890 entered upon the work of teaching here, being principal of the schools at Meriden for fourteen years. He became widely recognized as a most able, earnest and conscientious educator, holding to high ideals in his school work and imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. His capability and efficiency in that direction recommended him for other important duties and in 1912 he was elected county auditor, which position he is now acceptably filling.

On the 27th of January, 1893, Mr. Dailey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Searles, who was also a teacher, and unto them have been born four sons and three daughters: Floyd W., now deputy auditor; Vera L.; Merle W.; Letha; Errett; Wayne and Mary.

In politics Mr. Dailey is a republican well versed on the questions and issues of the day and is recognized as one of the active workers of the party in this county. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, while his religious faith is that of the Christian church. His influence is always on the side of right and progress, of improvement, truth and reform, and his life work has been a potent force for good in the community.