GEORGE H. BAILEY is one of the substantial farmers of Richland county, where he has lived from his childhood days except for brief intervals, and he is now the owner of a fine farm on 200 acres, lying partly in Sylvan and partly in Akan townships. Mr. Bailey was born in Meigs county, Ohio, July 27, 1853, and is a son of William and Lydia (Blackledge) Bailey, both likewise native of the old Buckeye State, where the former was born Feb. 4, 1826 and the latter July 29, 1927. The father died March 3, 1865, and his widow long survived him, her death occurring Feb. 14, 1890. Their marriage was solemnized in 1847, and the continued to reside in Ohio until 1853, when they came to Richland county, where the father purchased 200 acres of heavily timbered land, in Marshall township. He cleared about thirty-five acres of the tract before his death. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Twentieth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, being made corporal in his company and proceeding to the front with his command. He took part in a number of battles and skirmishes and remained in the service until 1864, when he was discharged, by reason of physical disability. He never regained his health, being thereafter practically an invalid until his death, in March of the following year. He was a man of ability and sterling character and was a citizen who commanded unqualified esteem. In politics he identified with the Republican party at the time of its organization, being a stanch supporter of its cause. His wife was a birth right member of the Society of Friends and manifested her faith in her gentle and gracious character. This worthy couple became the parents of five children: Wiatt L. is now living in Missouri; Wilson J. is a resident of Iowa; the subject of this review was the next in order of birth; Quincy A. is deceased; and Veleda is the wife of Joseph Armstong, of Rockbridge township. George H. Bailey was reared to maturity in Richland county, where he attended the district schools at irregular intervals, early beginning to depend largely upon his own resources. At the age of thirteen years he found employment by the month at farm work, and he continued thus engaged until he had attained to the age of twenty-two years, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Vernon county, where he remained one year, then disposing of the property and returning to Richland county. He bought the interests of the other heir to the old homestead, in Marshall township, but sold the place two years later and purchased forty acres in Sylvan township. Since that time he has made several sales and purchases of land in Sylvan and Akan townships, now having 200 acres, as previously stated. He is engaged in diversified agriculture and devotes considerable attention to dairying, having a herd of about fifty cattle and supplies a large amount of milk to the local creamery. In all matters of local import he takes a deep interest, showing a loyal and liberal spirit. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, and he has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions. He has served as a member of the town board and has held various school offices, including that of clerk of his district. He has frequently been summoned as a juror in the county and Federal courts and is a citizen to whom is accorded the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem. In a fraternal way he is identified with Dayton Lodge, No. 213, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which his elder son also is a member. Oct. 9, 1864, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Brott, daughter of William and Elvira (Orringer) Brott, the former of whom died in New York state and the latter of whom now resides in the home of the subject. After the death of her husband Mrs. Brott came with her family to Richland county, in 1863, settling in Marshall township. Mrs. Bailey is the youngest in the family of three children; Almira is the wife of David Scott, of Syracuse, N. Y., and Adelbert is now located in the west. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have five children: Carrie is the wife of William Hall, of Vernon county, and the have three children; Van, who was born April 2, 1879, is engaged in the general merchandise business at West Bosston; married Miss Louise Chitwood, of Sylvan township, and they have two children; Abi, who was born Aug. 27, 1881, is the wife of Elmer Johnson, of Sylvan township, and they have three children; Er, who was born Oct. 26, 1885, remains at the parental home as does also Othni, who was born Mar. 9, 1887.