Moses Bailey

BAILEY, CHANDLER, EYERLY, TIMBERLAKE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/19/2004 at 13:42:04

Moses Bailey, a retired jeweler and farmer living in Douglas township, wasfor a number of years actively connected with the agricultural and commercial interests of this county. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, January 15, 1825. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Timberlake) Bailey, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The father, who was born on the 4th of August, 1777, and passed away November 27, 1858, was a blacksmith and followed his trade together with farming in Ohio. He also devoted some attention to the burning of brick and as a result nearly lost his eyesight. He was a Quaker in his religious faith and held a high place in the estimation of his fellowmen.

Moses Bailey learned the silversmith's trade in Ohio and in the fall following his marriage, which occurred in January, 1853, he and his wife came west to Cedar county, Iowa. In 1854, however, they removed to Van Buren county and the following year came to Winterset. Mr. Bailey engaged in the jewelry business there and was one of the early merchants of that city. His store was in a log house, which is still standing near the city park. At that time Winterset was but a village and both the courthouse and jail were log structures. Since 1870 Mr. Bailey has not been connected with commercial affairs but has lived upon his forty acres of land near Winterset. He devoted much attention to the raising of bees and to horticulture and found these occupations congenial and lucrative. He is now living largely retired.

On New Year's Day, 1853, Mr. Bailey married Miss Mary Chandler, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 19, 1831. Her father, Eli Chandler, a son of Enoch and Hannah Chandler, was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Horner, was a daughter of Ephraim and Katherine (Lawrence) Horner and was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. Eli Chandler removed from Belmont county to Harrison county, Ohio, where he became an extensive landowner and also the proprietor of a sawmill on Stillwater creek. Subsequently he took up his residence in Belmont county, Ohio, where he was known as a substantial and successful farmer and good citizen. He remained there until 1843 and then moved to Highland county, Ohio, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres and remained there until about 1853, when he located near Kokomo, Indiana, where both he and his wife died.

Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have five children. Thomas Russell, born May 12, 1865, is engaged in cement work in Winterset. He is married and has two children: Clarence, who is also married; and Willis. Edward C., born February 2, 1867, is also married. Mary Elizabeth is the widow of Vinson Eyerly, a son of George W. Eyerly, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vinson Eyerly, Alice and Hershel. Mrs. Eyerly now makes her home with her father. William, born December 29, 1871, is operating the farm belonging to his father. He is energetic and progressive and has erected new buildings, set out an orchard and in other ways improved the place. He also runs a threshing machine. Clara, the youngest in the family, is the wife of George W. Eyerly

Mr. Bailey is affiliated with the Christian church of Winterset and has taken considerable interest in the work of that organization. The care of his private interests, however, has demanded the greater part of his time throughout his life and his efforts have resulted in the acquirement of a competence that enables him to live retired. He has reached the age of four score years and ten and is one of the oldest and most honored residents of his township.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”