My Genealogy Hound

C. S. BAILEY. Considering the great number of settlers who cast their lots in Buffalo county seventeen and eighteen years ago, the date of the greatest influx of immigration, it is a matter of frequent remark that but comparatively few now remain. The colony that located Gibbon comprised eighty-five qualified homesteaders, only about thirty of whom are now citizens of the county. Near the same date, but scattered over two or three years, about an equal number of settlers took homesteads in Shelton and Sharon townships, of whom hardly as great a proportion as the Gibbon colony now remain. One of the latter number, however, who has stood steadfastly by his first choice is C. S. Bailey, now of the town of Shelton. Mr. Bailey came to Buffalo county in the fall of 1873 and settled four miles north of the present town of Shelton, in what is now Sharon township. He took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, filing on the southwest quarter of section 12, township 10, range 13 west. After a residence there of two or three years he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in section 11; lying opposite his homestead, and went somewhat actively into farming. He lived on the farm for ten years engaged in agriculture and stock-raising, at which he was reasonably successful. In the spring of 1884 he moved into the town of Shelton and began at that date to handle agricultural implements, pumps and wind-mills. Two years later he added harness, since which time he has been doing a fairly prosperous business in these lines. Mr. Bailey retains most of his farming interests, being a considerable land-holder as well as one of the representative business men of Shelton. While he has never sought office, he has nevertheless been called upon to fill some places of trust in connection with the administration of the public affairs of his town and township. He has served on the county board as township supervisor two years and he is now justice of the peace for Shelton township. He is, however, a business man strictly, and his career has been that of the man of private affairs. The small offices he has filled he has been called to because of his recognized ability to handle the business part of them, and not to gratify any supposed personal pride he may have touching that ignis fatuus, public office.

As this volume is designed to preserve something of the earlier history, ancestral and personal, of the old settlers of the county as well as an outline of their careers since locating here, some pertinent facts touching Mr. Bailey’s origin and personal record, particularly his military life, may here be inserted.

Charles S. Bailey was born in St. Lawrence county, K Y., July 19, 1843. He came West in 1855 with his father, who settled in Tama county, Iowa, at that date. There Charles S. grew up. He enlisted in the army July 31, 1861, having just turned into his eighteenth year, entering Company C, Tenth Iowa volunteer infantry. His military record of course is merged in that of his regiment, as he served as a private. Let us therefore briefly review the history of the Iowa Tenth. The regiment was formed in September, 1861. It moved to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., was ordered thence to Cape Girardeau, that state, and went into winter quarters at Bird’s Point, opposite Cairo. In the spring of 1862 it was placed under General Pope, was present in the movement against Island No. 10, and after the evacuation of that place was ordered to Osceola, Ark. Active movements having begun in the meantime in western Kentucky, Tennessee and northern Mississippi, it was ordered to join Grant’s army, then preparing for the battle of Pittsburg Landing. It reached the latter place too late for the engagement there, but was placed in the army of the Tennessee, and after a few weeks’ skirmishing around Memphis entered on the Vicksburg campaign. It served through all that campaign and sustained some heavy losses — notably at Champion’s Hill. In the engagement at that place its casualties were thirty-six killed, and one hundred and sixty-six wounded and eight missing, being the largest list of casualties sustained by any regiment in that engagement. After the evacuation of Vicksburg the Tenth was placed in Sherman’s army and started towards what was afterwards the famous battlefield of Chickamauga, Lookout mountain and Missionary Ridge. Mr. Bailey’s term of enlistment having expired about this time he re-enlisted along with most of his regiment, got his veteran furlough and went home, missing a few of the intermediate engagements. He re-joined his regiment at Kingston, Ga., soon after it had started on the Atlanta campaign, and was in the series of battles from there down to Atlanta. On the division of the Union forces at Atlanta the Tenth continued with Sherman to the sea and took part in the Carolina campaigns, being present at the surrender of Johnston’s army April 26, 1865. It was at the grand review at Washington, ordered on special duty thence to Louisville, Ky., and afterwards to Little Rock, Ark., where it was mustered out, Mr. Bailey receiving his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, September 27, 1865. He returned to Toledo and was six years deputy sheriff of Tama county, or until the fall of 1873, then came to Nebraska as before stated.

Mr. Bailey married at Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, in March, 1866, his wife bearing the maiden name of Margaret E. Fisher and being a native of Indiana. He has a family of children, some of whom are now grown, his oldest son, Fred A., being associated with him in business.

Being an old soldier, Mr. Bailey naturally takes much interest in matters relating to the welfare of his comrades. He joined the G. A. R. association in Iowa before coming to this state. He helped organize Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R., the pioneer veteran association of Shelton, and has taken an active part in the affairs of the post. He is also a zealous member of the Masonic fraternity.

In matters of general interest he takes the part which every good citizen is expected to take, and extends to all deserving enterprises a helping hand, aiding when necessary with his efforts and giving liberally in proportion to his means.