DON C. BAILEY.   Don C. Bailey needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is one of the native sons of West Liberty, his birth having here occurred on the 1st of January, 1859, his parents being George F. and Susan (Van Buskirk) Bailey.  The father, a native of Harford county, Maryland, came to Ohio on 1840 and is represented on another page of this work.  His wife died when the subject of this review was but twelve days old. 
     The son was educated in the public schools of his native town and in 1878, at the age of nineteen years, he entered the office of the West Liberty Gazette to learn the printer's trade and bought a half interest in the plant, becoming a partner with H. W. Hamilton.  He remained in the office until the 27th of June, 1S79. and then became interested in the Buckeye Blade, which was really the successor of the Gazette, a change in the name occurring only.  This was made in 1881. and for a short time Mr. Bailey was in partnership with W. S. Allen in the conduct of this paper.  On the 21st of December, 1882, Mr. Bailey established the West Liberty Banner and the Blade soon discontinued publication.  The Banner became the leading paper and Mr. Bailey has conducted it without interruption and with very desirable success for over twenty years.  It is the leading weekly paper in Logan county, with a circulation of thirteen hundred, and is Republican in its political complexion.  It exerts a wide influence in political lines and is the champion of measures of progress, reform and improvement.  The paper is well edited and as a means of disseminating general news proves a potent factor.  Superior workmanship is also a characteristic of this journal, and Mr. Bailey does everything in his power to make the paper one of the best ever published in his section of Ohio.  He has succeeded in the undertaking and is widely recognized as a leading representative of journalistic interests.
     By President McKinley Mr. Bailey was appointed to the position of postmaster of West Liberty, on the 22d of May, 1898, and on the 1st of July of the same year entered upon the duties of the position, which he continued to fill until the 10th of January, 1903.  His administration has business like and progressive and he discharged the duties of the office to the satisfaction of all its patrons and also to those in authority in the post office department in Washington, D. C.  During his term of service there was one rural route established and three others provided for by the department.  On his retirement from the post office, Mr. Bailey resumed active management of The Banner.
     Mr. Bailey's public service, however, has not been confined alone to the post office, for he has been a member of the city council, a member of the board of education and in other wasy has rendered efficient aid in matters of public interest.  He is now serving his third term as a director in the Farmers' Banking Company.  Strong in his local political belief, he wields a wide influence, and has done much for the success and growth of the party.
     Of the 31st of December, 1879, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Alpharetta ATHA, a daughter of Simeon and Rhoda (EUANS) ATHA, who are residents of West Liberty.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born five children who survive:  Clara Myrtle, Leila Ann, Howard Franklin, Donnetta and Zellah Oleeta, while three died in infancy.  The eldest daughter is a graduate of the West Liberty high school, of the class of 1901.  Mr. Bailey has a nice residence, one of the finest in West Liberty, and the home is celebrated justly for its gracious hospitality and good cheer.  Mr. Bailey is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is a popular and esteemed resident of his community.  His entire life has been passed here, and the fact that many of this stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication of an honorable and upright career.
Source:  The Historical Review of Logan Co., Ohio, Publ. Chicago, by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1903 - Page 286

GEORGE F. BAILEY.     There is no line of activity in West Liberty which has not felt the stimulus of the aid and influence of George F. Bailey.  Business, political, social, intellectual and moral endeavor have profited by his co-operation, and affairs of the city and individual interests have benefited by his wise counsel.  The advice of probably no other man of West Liberty has been as widely sought and the counsel which Mr. Bailey gave always proved a source of help, but while his activity in public life would well entitle him to distinctive representation in this volume, it was his deep sympathy and sincere and abiding interest in his fellow men that endeared him to all.  He rejoiced in the good fortune and happiness of others and no man was more ready in sympathy in time of distress or proportionately more liberal in charity when substantial aid was needed.  His friends were almost numberless, and more than one has echoed in his heart the sentiment.
     "He was a man, take him for all in all.
     I shall not look upon his like again."
 

     Mr. Bailey passed away Nov. 24, 1901, after nearly fifty years of identification with West Liberty, her upbuilding and her welfare.  George F. Bailey was born Jan. 13, 1826, in Harford county, Maryland.  The Bailey family  was established in that state at an early day.  His parents were Josias and Catherine Bailey and with them came to Ohio in 1839, settling at Cambridge.  There is one surviving son of this family, Edwin Bailey, of Urbana, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Lyman of Bussey, Iowa, and Mrs. Sarah Wells of Des Moines, Iowa.  In the year 1844 the family removed to Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio.
     At the age of fifteen years the subject of this review began learning the cooper's trade with his father and received there thorough and practical training in the work.  On attaining his majority he went to Roscoe, Ohio, where he followed his trade until the 22d of November, 1849, when he became affected with the prevailing gold fever and joined an emigrant train.  He landed in that far-off country with but five dollars in his pocket.  This was soon almost exhausted and he and a partner, with only one dollar between them, erected a rough board shanty, in which they worked at the cooper's trade during the winter season and during the summer months were engaged in placer mining.  For many years he carried in his pocket pieces of gold which he had mined on French bar fifty years previous.  In 1851 he returned by way of the isthmus route and walked across Panama, for in those days there were no railroads.  Such a journey at that time involved many hardships.
     On again reaching Ohio Mr. Bailey resumed work at the cooper's trade in Roscoe, and on the 2d of September, 1852, he removed from that place to West Liberty, where he conducted a coopering establishment for about twenty-five years.  He prospered in his undertaking, his business growing in scope and the returns therefrom materially increased his income, making him one of the substantial citizens of the community.  His labors, however, were interrupted by his service as a soldier of the Civil war.  He responded to his country's call when rebellion threatened the destruction of the Union, enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He did valiant service for the nation and never faltered in the performance of his duty, whether it called him to the picket line or into the thickest of the fight.  After his return he always maintained a deep interest in military affairs, pleasant relations with his fellow comrades who wore hte blue, and was one of the organizers of the Poysell Post, G. A. R., never failing to respond to the roll-call at his meetings.  He was at one time secretary of the Mad River Building and Loan Association,  which was one of the pioneer organizations of that character, and at the time of his death he was attorney for the People's Savings and Loan Company and the vice-president of the Farmers' Banking Company.  His keen  judgment, integrity and discrimination were integral factors in the successful conduct of many leading enterprises here.
     On the 28th of June, 1853, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Susan Van Buskirk, of Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio.  Unto them were born four children, two of whom are still living:  Mrs. Oleeta Gribble and Don C.  The wife and mother died Jan. 12, 1859, and on the 22d of July, 1860, Mr. Bailey was again married, his second union being with Ann M. Van Buskirk, a sister of his first wife.  One child was born of this union, Van B. who still survives.  the second wife died July 17, 1900, and Mr. Bailey passed away Nov. 24, 1901, at the age of seventy-five years ten months and eleven days.  For nearly fifty years Mr. Bailey was identified with improvements and measures of importance effecting the business history of West Liberty.  The confidence of the people was manifested in him in many ways, especially in his appointment and election to important offices of trust and responsibility, which he always filled in a manner that was indicative of his fidelity to the best interests of his community.  He was an honest man, his word being above question.  Among the many who followed him to his last resting place were a large number of whom he had assisted in a financial way and to whom he had extended generous aid in times of need.  He was thoroughly frugal in his habits, was energetic, methodical and business-like, and thus he accumulated a comfortable competence, which put him in a position to help the less fortunate.  Nearly every man in West Liberty has at some time or another received favors at his hand.  If a man or woman was in need of business or legal advice, it was to Mr. Bailey whom they went for assistance, and they knew that they had in him a safe and an honest counselor.  He was methodical in every detail of his life work, and for twenty years prior to his own demise he kept a complete record of every death and other interesting or important events in connection with current history of the town, as well as a complete record of the weather for every day during that entire period.    When a disastrous conflagration of the 13th of May, 1880, wiped out the heart of West Liberty's business district, Mr. Bailey was the first man to begin building operations, and thus to encourage his fellow citizens in the reconstruction of the town.  Other ways innumerable might be given of the important part which he took in the development of West Liberty.  The confidence of his fellow citizens, however, was fully expressed in the fact that for thirty years he served as justice of the peace.  His opinions were strictly fair and impartial and the highest commendation was accorded him.  For twelve years he was councilman and for four years was mayor, while for sixteen years he was corporation treasurer.  Whatever touched upon the interest of the city awakened his interest, and if he believed in any measure, he gave to it his hearty indorsement and support.  His name thus became inseparably interwoven with the annals of the town, but but more than that, his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
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