JOHN BAILEY, one of the oldest living residents of Washington county, was born August 11, 1817, in Robinson township. He is a grandson of Alexander Bailey, who was born in Scotland, removed to Ireland when a small boy, and there married to Jane Brown, a native of that country. Eight children were born to this union, viz.: Matthew and William, both born in Ireland, the former June , 1749, the latter May 2, 1752; Anna, born November 30, 1753; Mary, born July 14, 1755; Jane, born March 22, 1858; Alexander, born December 29, 1761James born September 27, 1763; and John born September 24, 1765, all of whom were born in America. In an early day the parents, with their two eldest children, left their native shore, and coming to America first located in Maryland. In 1785 they moved to Pennsylvania and purchasing 190 acres of land in Washington county, there made a permanent home. The wife of Alexander Bailey survived him many years, and died on the old homestead at the age of one hundred and seven years, when the home farm was bequeathed to John, her youngest son. John Bailey was born in Maryland, and in 1799 was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Gailey, who bore him the following children: Jane (residing in Robinson township), born April 27, 1800; Matthew, born May 7, 1802 (deceased); Nancy (living in Indiana county, Penn), born July 6, 1804; Alexander, born October 31, 1806 (deceased); Margaret, born April 7, 1811 (deceased); Mary (widow of S. Ewing, of this county); born February 6, 1814; John (subject of this sketch); Anna, born November 7, 1819; and William, born May 13, 1823. Mr. Bailey cast his first vote for George Washington; he afterward became an active worker in the Democratic party, and gave liberally to all public improvements, being especially interested in religious and educational enterprises. He died in 1851, having been preceded by his wife in 1845. Both were members of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church. John Bailey (whose name opens this sketch) received his early education in the schools of Robinson township. In June, 1869, he was united in marriage with Margaret Stewart, who was born June 27, 1833, daughter of John and Harriet (White) Stewart, both of whom are natives of Washington county; they were the parents of three children: Margaret, Charles and David, of whom Margaret, the eldest, is the only one now living. Mr. Stewart died when Margaret was very young, and his wife (who was a member of the Presbyterian Church) died in 1887. Two children have come to the union of John and Margaret (Stewart) Bailey, viz.: Cora L., born March 8, 1870; and Harriet B., born October 25, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are active members of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, and he not only favors, but emphasizes his approval by giving financial assistance to all worthy enterprises of the neighborhood; he is an active worker in the Democratic party. His farm contains ninety-five acres of the old homestead, which is in an excellent state of cultivation. A brother, William, and sister, Anna, both of whom are unmarried, are also living on ninety-five acres of the old farm. William Bailey (an uncle of the subject), two Shearer boys, two McCandlasses and one McNely were captured by the Indians while working the harvest field, William being the only one of the party who escaped alive.

Text taken from page 914 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by LuShelle Fletcher of Grand Island, NE as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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