Biographies
Michigan Biographies Project
George Bailey was one of a family of seven children. His parents came to Michigan when he was but three years of age and settled in Union City. He grew to manhood amidst rural surroundings and and early adopted agriculture as his avocation in life. Leaving school when but a lad, he found employment as a farm hand and although receiving but nominal wages for his services, by the practice of economy, he was enabled each year to lay by something for future investment. In was in 1852 that he made his first purchase of land and this in the Township of Bunker Hill. The land was practically in a state of nature, but upon this he built a log cabin and for one year lived alone.
On November 14, 1854 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L., daughter of Daniel H. and Delia S. Beers of Bunker Hill. The Beers were natives of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey immediately began housekeeping in the log house, in which they lived for three years, then sold and bought where they now live, and in 1887 built the residence in which they now reside. Mr. Bailey being a man of strong constitution, cleared away with his own trusty axe the forests, and today his is one of the pleasant and attractive rural homes in the township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born nine children: Lizzie, June 1, 1857, married Alfred Atherton, died February 17, 1884; Della, March 8, 1859, lives at home: Orris Alonzo, November 30, 1860, died August 23, 1863; Anna Francellia, July 29, 1864, died March 10, 1866; Amy Ellen, April 17, 1866, married in 1888 to Ethan DeCamp and has three children, Winnona, Leola and Norris; George Wesley, April 11, 1868, lives at Battle Creek, where he is taking a thorough medical course; Hattie Elmina, April 5, 1870, died June 15, 1870; Vina Zella, born August 11, 1871, married Arthur DeCamp, who lives three-quarters of a mile away on the home farm; Elton J., April 11, 1874, married Lulu Williams and is successfully engaged in running a store at Bunker Hill Center.
In the year 1864, Mr. Bailey recognizing the need of religion to a successful and happy life, joined the Seventh Day Adventists at Felts school house. Today this church has on its roll forty members, while at its organization only the following were its followers: James DuBois, Lovina Fuller, Chauncey Smith and wife, Sarah Philo, Joshua Philo and wife, David Hodges (Elder), Oliver Janes and wife, Welcome Landfair and wife, Jacob DeCamp, Delia S. Beers, Amy Curry, Charles Briggs and wife, David Freeland and wife, Hollis Clark and wife, David Briggs and Emma Talmadge.
Mr. George Bailey was a leader and the treasurer for sixteen years and in 1883 was ordained elder of the church, which position he still holds. Our subject's life has ever been guided by the teachings of his church and he lives in the high esteem of his fellow men.
|
Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
|