R. H. BAILEY
R. H. Bailey, one of the prominent grocers of the city, embarked in this business in the fall of 1880, on Chesnut [sic Chestnut] Street, two doors south of the Whitney block. After the fire he removed to No. 408, on the same street. His present salesroom is 24x80 feet in size, in which he carries a large stock of from eight to ten thousand dollars worth of groceries, etc.
R. H. Bailey, one of the most prominent merchants of Atlantic, is a native of Monticello, Illinois, and was born on the 31st day of March, 1849, his parents being John and Mary (Hubbard) Bailey, natives of Ohio, and who were among the pioneer settlers of Piatt county, Illinois. They are at present living in Marshalltown, Marshall county, Iowa, and are the parents of twelve children. They have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for years, and have occupied all the positions in that church. Mr. Bailey, Sr., is and always has been a staunch Democrat. R. H. Bailey was reared in his native State, and received his education in the higher schools of his county. In 1871, he went to Marshall county, Iowa, settling in Marshalltown, where he embarked in the mercantile business under the firm name of W. T. Bailey and Company, following the same for four years. He then came to Atlantic and engaged in his present business. In 1874, he was married to Matilda Burson, a native of Ohio, by whom three sons were born--Cecil, Ralph and Earl. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Congregational church, while Mr. Bailey is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and the Commandery. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 858.
