Bay, Samuel (b. 1851)

BAY, ANDERSON, WILDER

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2008 at 10:12:28

Samuel L. BAY, A student of measurements and greatly interested in mathematics as a youth, it was only natural that our subject should have drifted into surveying, and that the people of his county should have recognized his ability by electing him Surveyor. Mr. Bay was born May 10, 1851, near Panora, in Guthrie County, Iowa, the eldest son of the first marriage of David S. Bay, a native of Illinois. The mother of our subject was Delilah (Anderson) Bay, who was born in Ohio Both she and her husband were among the earliest settlers of Guthrie County, Iowa. Our subject's father died in Texas, and his mother in California.

Samuel L. Bay spent five years in Texas, then returned to Iowa. In the fall of 1868, being in his seventeenth year, and while a resident of Iowa, he entered the Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant. Iowa, and pursued his studies in the latter place for eighteen months. He then followed the profession of teaching for two years in Iowa, then in Missouri until 1884, when he took charge of the County Surveyor's office. During his service as a teacher in Missouri, all of the time except four years was spent in Ray County.

His nomination as County Surveyor was made by the Democratic party in 1884, and after his election he assumed the duties, January 1, 1885. and continued in office throughout the four years' term; was renominated and elected in 1888, and again in 1892. He was married September 23, 1875, to Miss Jennie Wilder, of Vibbard, Mo., a daughter of Samuel Wilder, and she has borne him .six children. Mr. and Mrs. Ray have a very comfortable and attractive home on East Main Street. in Richmond, where they live happily together. Mr. Bay is a member of Bee Hive Lodge So. 393, A. F. & A. M., at Lawson.

Nothing is permitted by Mr. Bay to interfere with the discharge of his official duties, to which he devotes his entire time. Herein he sets an example worthy of emulation by all. A skilled Surveyor, he is also a conscientious one, not only performing his work thoroughly but also with dispatch. The estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens is attested by the long time he has ability, there is a strong liking for the man himself, whose many sterling qualities cause him to be very popular. It would be quite difficult to name a man who would be vain enough to think he could defeat Mr. Bay for Surveyor

from Portrait and Biographical Record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties Missouri, Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1893