BAILEY, James F.: 1825-1906
BAILEY, DAVIDSON, SHEPHERD, MILLER
Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/4/2013 at 03:57:53
JAMES F. BAILEY.
Deceased was born August 23, 1825, in Belmont county, Ohio, and passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1906, aged 81 years, 4 months and 3 days.
With his parents he moved to Morgan county, Ohio, in 1835, the little village of McConnellsville now the county seat of Morgan county, being his home town, and of which he retained pleasant memories and delighted to talk of to the close of life.
In the call for volunteers for the Mexican war, 1846, he enlisted as private in Co. H, 3d Reg. Ohio vol. being honorably discharged one year later.
In the spring of 1850 he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, locating at Bonaparte until the fall of '54, he joined the rush for the gold fields of California, going via New Orleans thence by steamer to the isthmus, and from there to San Francisco on a sailing vessel. On this voyage he came near perishing for food and water, being out 77 days. While there he was engaged in mining and on public works.
Returning in 1855, in July of the same year he was united in marriage to Celestine Davidson, this union being blessed with the birth of a daughter, now Mrs. Ella Shepherd of Kansas City, Kan. In January of 1856 they moved to a farm one mile northwest of Bentonsport, where in happy companionship they labored and acquired acre by acre until the "Bailey Farm" of 300 acres was considered one of the most fertile in the county.
Both were frugal, industrious and honest; loyal members of the M.E. church and in every enterprise for the advancement of the church and civilization were enthusiastic and liberal in their support. The type of citizen that makes the word better.
About 1894, they decided to retire and, pursing the Dr. Cowles residence, made their home in Bentonsport. Mrs. Bailey passed away September 9, 1898.
In October of 1899 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Miller, who with the daughter Ella, two grandchildren, four great grand children, a brother and many friends and relatives mourn the loss of a good man.
Mr. Bailey was a Master Mason of the 3d degree, a member of the Masonic lodge of Bonaparte, Iowa, under whose auspices their brother was laid to rest.
He was formerly a member of the Masonic lodge in Bentonsport becoming a member in 1857 and after its dissolution transferring to the above named.
To the relatives and friends is the legacy of "a life of honor and of worth, whose glory far exceeds all else."
Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 45, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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