Biography - Walter Bailey
Among the successful farmers of Elba Township is the gentleman whose name
heads this notice, and who resides on his fine farm on section 26. He came
to this county in October, 1849, from Delaware County, Ohio, and some few
years later purchased the 160 acres of land where his is at present
residing. He has subsequently increased his landed interest, and at this
writing, is the owner of 860 acres, 80 of which are timber. On his fine
place he erected a good residence in 1871, barn and other necessary
out-buildings, and the farm is indicative of that push and energy
characteristic of its proprietor. Mr. Bailey was born in St. Lawrence
County, New York, 9 January 1827, and is the son of James and Eve (Kitts)
Bailey. They were natives of St. Lawrence County, New York. James Bailey was
a farmer, surveyor, and mechanic, and was engaged in various other
occupations, but farming was his chief business in life. When he was ten
years of age his parents removed to Ohio and there lived until they came to
Galva, in Henry County, where the good mother and loving wife, passed away,
11 September 1873. The father afterward returned to Delaware County, Ohio,
where his demise occurred in June 1875. Walter, however, came direct to Knox
County from Ohio.
Walter Bailey was married in Elmwood Township, Peoria County, this State, on
14 February 1855, to Harriet L. Parsell, daughter of Joseph and Hetty A.
(Ralston) Parsell. Her parents came to Fulton County, Illinois, from
Hamilton County, Ohio, and lived in the former county for about one year. In
1840 they moved to Elmwood Township, Peoria County, where the mother died on
17 April 1850. The father was again, married, and in 1864 removed to the
village of Elmwood, that county, where he lived for 11 years, and until
1875, when he came to Elba Township, and lived with his daughter, Mrs.
Bailey, of this notice, until 3 January 1880, the date of his demise.
Mrs. Bailey was born in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio on 30 July
1835 and has borne her husband five children, named, Edith A., Lura D.,
Bertha B., Addie G. and Nena H. Edith is the wife of W.D. Ware, a resident
of Summit, Illinois, and to them three children have been born - Catherine
S., Winfield B. and Edna D.; Lura married George F. Hughes, who lives at
Table Grove, Fulton County, Illinois. The remaining children remain at home.
Mr. Bailey has held the office of Justice of Peace four years, and also
various school offices within the gift of the people of the people of his
township. In politics he is a stanch and active Republican. When Mr. B. came
here, his land was uncultivated and the improvements now to be seen are due
to his own thrift and energy. He had but little means, and what he now
possesses had been the accumulation of his own toil and economy.
Extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album - Knox County, Illinois, published by the Biographical Publishing Company
