Bailey, R. H.

BAILEY, KEATING, BRUNER, VAUGHAN, SAUERMAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/21/2009 at 10:12:07

Bailey, R. H.

Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he is honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his reputation and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life record of the honored young man whose name forms the caption of this paragraph will be of interest to many readers of this history, for it is one of usefulness and correct conduct.

R. H. Bailey, the present popular and efficient county recorder of Jasper County, was born in Des Moines Township, near Vandalia, this County, June 23, 1880. He is the representative of one of the sterling early families of Jasper County, being the son of N. P. and Nancy J. (Keating) Bailey. The elder Bailey was a native of Illinois, from which state he, came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1855, locating on a farm in Des Moines Township, which he soon had under excellent improvements and had established a good home where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1912, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania, from which state she moved with her parents to Ohio and thence to Iowa about 1855, with her parents. She is still living, making her home in Vandalia; she is a woman of fine Christian characteristics.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Bailey, namely: H. C., deceased; J. E. lives in Des Moines; Edna Pearl is the wife of W. J. Bruner of St. Louis; M. Coral is the wife of F. A. Vaughan, of Primghar, Iowa; R. H., of this review. These children received good common school educations and are well situated in life, respected in whatever community they have cast their lot.

R. H. Bailey, of this review, grew to maturity on the home farm where he assisted with the general work about the place and during his youth attended the neighboring schools in the winter time, receiving a good education which has been supplemented in later life by general home reading and study. He remained on the parental acres until he was elected county recorder in 1908 on the Republican ticket, in which year he moved to Newton and where he has since resided. He has long taken an active part in the affairs of the party, and his selection to the important position he now occupies is looked upon as a very fortunate one, owing to the fact that he has discharged his duties in this capacity in a most effective and praiseworthy manner, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned. So faithful and well did he discharge his duties during his first term that he was his party's choice for re-election in 1910.

Fraternally, Mr. Bailey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen, standing high in each, and in religious matters he is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Bailey was married June 7, 1911, to Anna L. Sauerman, daughter of C. F. Sauerman, of Newton. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B.F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 490.