A. J. G. Bailey

A.J.G. Bailey, proprietor of the Lookout farm in Mantua township, is one of the most successful and skillful farmers of the locality and has been an important factor in the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Monroe county since 1864. He was born in Lewis county, Virginia, January 25, 1842, which was also the birthplace of his father, James R. Bailey, and his grandfather, Carr Bailey, was born in the same state, of English parents, who were early settlers of the Old Dominion. The family had its representatives in both the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812.

On reaching manhood James R. Bailey married Miss Christie Ann Tharp, a daughter of Hezekiah Tharp. Throughout life Mr. Bailey followed farming and by his ballot supported the men and measures of the Democratic party. For many years he was a deacon in the Baptist church, and died in that faith at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife was seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of thirteen children: A.J.G., H.D., C.B., J.W. and John E., who are still living; Mrs. Minnie Reed, who died in Virginia; Cynthia Ann, who died at the age of twenty years; Elzire Bird, who died in Virginia; Nancy, who died in Baltimore, Maryland; Paschal B., deceased; and three who died young.

During his boyhood and youth, A.J.G. Bailey pursued his education in the schools of his native county, and having acquired a good education he successfully engaged in teaching for three terms. On the 18^th of October, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ann Woofter, who was also born, reared and educated in Lewis county, Virginia, of which state her parents, Amos and Catherine ( Shannan ) Woofter, were life-long residents, being of German descent. Her father died at the age of eighty and the mother at the age of sixty years.Their children were Marion; Albert, deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil War and was confined in Libby prison for a time; Matilda Ann, wife of our subject; Mrs. Sarah Williams; Mrs. Mary A. Moneypenny, deceased; and Lydia, deceased. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a Republican in politics.

The children to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are as follows: Mrs. Sarah Morgan, now deceased; Mrs. Amanda C. Monroe, a resident of Albia, Iowa; Thomas, of Mantua township; A. Grant, of Troy township; Amos, who died at the age of twenty-four years, a most promising young man, honored and respected by all who knew him; Lizzie, at home; Charles, a resident of Appanoose county; Eva Iona and Lulu, both at home; Eve and Noah died in infancy. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.

Mr. Bailey remained in Virginia until 1864, when he came to Monroe county, Iowa, and here followed carpentering as well as farming for some time. In 1868 he purchased his present farm in Mantua township, and today has one of the best improved places of the locality. His house is commodious, well furnished and comfortable, his barns and outbuildings are good and substantial; there is a good orchard upon the place, and all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are here found. His house was erected in 1894 at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. He keeps a good grade of horses and cattle, and has met with success both as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Politically Mr. Bailey is identified with Republican party; has served as a delegate to its conventions, has filled the office of justice of the peace in a most acceptable manner, was assessor in 1871 and is now serving as trustee of his township. He is officially connected with the German Baptist church, and is a man of kindly, genial disposition, who makes friends wherever he goes, and has the entire confidence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.