Josiah Bryant Bailey
The following is from the January 18, 1902, Lowell Souvenir (page 13, column 1)
"Corn Breeders'" Association
Mr. J.B. Bailey who attended the "Corn Breeders'" Association at Indianapolis says: "The object of the association is for the improvement of corn on the same principle that live stock is bred up to a high standard. It seems laughable at first thought, but let one go into a corn crib and try to pick out two ears of corn that are alike, and they will find it no small job, if the owner has not taken pains for years to select his seed. The same is true with poultry or stock. It is the constant breeding or cultivation that obtains the desired results. I wish that every corngrower in the state of Indiana could have heard A.D. Shomel, of the University of Illinois, talk on the subject of corn culture. Although only twenty-two years old, he clearly demonstrated that it is as practical to breed up corn as it is to breed up stock, and that it is high time that King Corn was receiving his share of attention for the betterment of the tiller of the soil."
From the Mar. 29, 1902, Lowell Souvenir ([age 9, column 3):
- Found, by J.B. Bailey, of West Creek, a black and white spotted fox terrier. Owner can have same by identifying it and paying 25 cents for advertising.
From the May 3, 1902, Lowell Souvenr (page 6, column 2):
- J.B. Bailey shipped 10 bushels of seed corn to Lakeville, Ind., and 8 bushels to Maderyville Monday. The brand shipped was the Golden Eagle. This year Mr. Bailey will give his attention to breeding up the Leaming brand. Mr. Bailey is also paying considerable attention to oats, which he hopes to bring up to a high standard.
The following obituary, copied from the Spalding Scrapbook, was found in the Obituary Index at the Lowell Public Library (LH Vital Statistics-- vol. 1, p. 91):
J.B. BAILEY PASSES AWAY
After a sickness lasting about two months Josiah Bailey passed to the great beyond at 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 25, 1902. On October 4th last he and his wife and daughter Grace and husband Fred Buse left for Washington, D.C., where they went to attend the National Encampment G.A.R. Mr. Bailey was sick when he left home and when they had reached Hinton, West Virginia he and Mrs. Bailey were compelled to stop off on account of the serious attack of inflammatory rheumatism from which he was suffering. As soon as he could be moved they returned home, since which time his condition had been very critical; resulting in death as above stated. The best of medical aid was secured for him but all to no purpose; the Death Angel had set his seal and he must go. It will be remembered that some three years ago he was compelled to undergo several operations for abscess and was near unto death's door several times, but through the assistance of Dr. Greenfield, of Chicago, Dr. Davis, of Lowell he survived the terrible ordeal. Dr. Greenfield was called this time, but the disease baffled his skill. In the death of Mr. Bailey an honorable, upright citizen and a man of more than ordinary worth has gone from among us and he will be greatly missed by a very large circle of friends and acquaintances, who greatly respected him for his worth as a man and a citizen.His funeral occurred from the West Creek church, which he had been so instrumental in beautifying, at 2 p.m., Thursday last. The church was filled to its utmost capacity this testifying to the high regard in which he was held by his friends and neighbors. Rev. D.D. Hoagland preached the funeral discourse; his subject being from 1 Samuel, 18-20: "Then Johnathan said: 'Tomorrow is the new moon and thou shall be missed because thy place shall be empty.'" The Lowell M.E. church choir sang some very appropriate hymns for the occasion. Funeral director Stowell had charge of the burial services. Interment in the cemetery adjoining the West Creek church.
Josiah B. Bailey was born at Door Village, Laporte county, Ind., October 23, 1835, and at the time of his death was aged 67 years, 1 month and two days. His father died when he was quite young; he then went to live with his grandfather in Pulaski county, this state, who soon came to Lake county, where he has since made his home with the exception of a couple of years he lived in Kankakee county, Illinois, just west of Sherburnville.
March 19, 1857, he was joined in marriage with Nancy E. Kile. This union was blessed with four children -- Levi E., Charles T. , George B. and Grace, now the wife of Fred Buse, all residing near the old home in West Creek township. April 18, 1876 he was called upon to part with his wife in death. February 8, 1877 he was again united in marriage with Mrs. Amelia Sanger nee Gragg, who survives him.
He was one of our foremost and most advanced thinkers and was ever ready to do any thing that would advance the cause of his chosen life work: farming. Although not a member of any church organization, he believed in practical Christianity and was always liberal in his gifts to the church or for the betterment of his fellowmen. Truly a good man has gone to his reward.
He leaves beside his wife and four children to mourn his departure to that better land: one sister, Mrs. Mary E. Hamilton, of Minneapolis, Minn., one brother, S.T. Bailey, of Battle Ground, Ind., one half- brother, O.L. Chapman, of Coyville, Kan., who were all present at the funeral; several grandchildren and a very large circle of friends and acquaintances to whom the TRIBUNE extends sincere sympathy in this their dark hour of sorrow and bereavement.
Another obituary, from an unnamed paper was found in the Clipping Files at the Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 1, page 100):
DEATH OF J.B. BAILEY
In the death of J.B. Bailey, which occurred Tuesday morning this community has lost another of its prominent, highly respected and substantial citizens, whose absence will be sorely missed, for he was a man full of vigor, activity and life, who was never content to remain idle, so long as he was able to be up and doing. His determination not to remain quiet when he knew he was sick really hastened the end. He made arrangements to attend the late encampment at Washington with his wife, but took down with rheumatism on Oct. 2, but on Oct. 4 they started, but he took sick and had to be taken to a hospital, where, after a few days there, they went on to Washington. On their return home Mr. Bailey had to go to bed again, suffering intensely with inflammatory rheumatism in his back. About two weeks ago, feeling better, he got up and dressed, remaining up for about three hours, when he became worse again, and since then gradually failed until death ensued, the immediate cause being heart trouble. The funeral took place at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the West Creek Methodist church, a pretty little edifice that he had taken much pleasure in beautifying the past fall, the room being filled with sorrowful relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev. Hoagland. The Lowell Methodist church choir sang some appropriate hymns. The text of the minister's discourse was: 1 Sam. 20:18 -- "Then Jonathan said unto him: 'To-morrow is the new moon and thou shalt be missed because thy [place] shall be empty.'" His theme throughout was a truthful portrayal of the life of the subject. His language and expression were beautiful, while his delivery was earnest and sincere. The remains of the deceased were laid to rest in the churchyard cemetery. Clifford Stowell had charge of the burial arrangements.Josiah B. Bailey was born at Door Village, Laporte county, Indiana, Oct. 23, 1835, and died at his home in West Creek township, Lake county, Ind., Nov. 25, 1902. His father, having died when he was quite young, he went to live with his grandfather in Pulaski county, who, a few years later, moved to Lake county, where he has ever since made his home, with the exception of two years that he lived in Kankakee county, Ill. On March 19, 1857, he was married to Nancy E. Kile, who died April 18, 1876. To this union four children were born -- Levi E., Charles T., George B., and one daughter, Grace, all of whom live near the deceased's late home. On February, 1877, he was again married, this time to Mrs. Amelia Sanger, who survives him. He leaves a sister, Mrs. Mary E. Hamilton, of Minneapolis, and two brothers, S.T. Bailey, of Battle Grounds, Ind., and O.L. Chapman, of Coyville, Kan., who were present at the funeral. Mr. Bailey's life has been of that sturdy, upright character that marks the life of a good citizen. Gifted with a natural desire for experimentation, he has been a more than ordinarily successful farmer, and his advice and opinion in matters of practical concern to every man interested in these affairs, has been sought by many, and freely given. Farming to him was a science. He was public- spirited, sympathetic, and ever ready to help those who were really in need. While he was not a member of a church, yet he was a free and liberal giver to the cause of Christianity. He always took a keen interest in the affairs of West Creek township, and served as a supervisor for a long time, and was instrumental in the gravel roads being built. He was well known in the county, had many friends and was highly respected by everybody, and his bereaved ones have the sympathy of the community. At the time of his death he was 67 years, 1 month and 2 days old.
The following notice appeared in the Dec. 13, 1902, Lowell Souvenir (page 3, column 3):
- Notice of Administration
In the matter of the estate of Josiah B. Bailey, Deceased, No. 1124.
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed Administrator of said Estate by the Judge of the Lake Circuit Court. Said Estate is supposed to be solvent.
LEVI E. BAILEY, Administrator
Dated this 5th day of December, 1902.
From the Sept. 19, 1903, Lowell Souvenir (page 8, column 1):
- A magnificent monument has been placed at West Creek cemetery to the memory of the late J.B. Bailey by his wife and children.
Go to Josiah Bryant Bailey, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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