William H. Bailey

William H. Bailey

WILLIAM H. BAILEY, farmer and blacksmith, section 16, Norwich Township, was born Jan. 25, 1830, in England. He is a son of James and Jane (Hill) Bailey, natives of Kent Co., Eng., where his mother still resides. Mr. Bailey had only the educational privileges common to the class of people which he belonged in his native country. In 1852 he came to the Dominion of Canada, and while a resident there he learned his trade of blacksmith. In 1861 he went to Rochester, N.Y., where he worked at his trade, and after a time another removal to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and was similarily engaged until 1872, when he went to Chicago, remained four months and came to Newaygo County within the year. He was employed two months on the Chicago & West Michigan railraod, and after that worked three years for Steward, Ives & Co. At the expiration of that time he established a shop of his own. He owns 42 acres of land where he engaged in farming when not confined by press of business to his shop. He was married at Big Rapids, in 1874 to Lydia Conkwiright, who was born i Oakland Co., Mich., in 1831.

Return to Home Page

Return to Pioneers