Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-06-07


When first stricken, it was hard to
believe that the man who had so
many times helped others, often at
1.-THE sacrifice of his own comfort and
health, was himself sorely in need of
help, and all expressed the hope that
his life might be spared and he be
restored to health and a life of fur
Their usefulness. But such was not to
Ibe-a second paralytic stroke brought
his life to a close, stilled the voice
that SO often had spoken words of
consolation and good counsel and his
Maker called him hence, mOurned by
the whole community and by whom
his memory will always be cherished
with the greatest reverence.
DR.. Abner Byron Bailey was born
Dec. 80, 1851, at Boscobel, Wis, and
died at his home in FennimOre, Wis,
May %, 1922, after an illness of eight
weeks duration His parents were
Mark and Rebecca (Dorland) Bailey,
pioneers of the Wisconsin river val
ley but lived the later part of their
Lives in the vicinity of Fennimore.
DR.. Bailey first came to Fenni-
more over 60 years ago, as a young
boy, and made his home with his
Iaunt, Mrs. H. A. W. McNair, and at
tended school at Number One. With
the exception of several short inter-
walls, among others at Lake Preston,
S. D., from 1886 to 1888, where he
was associated in the drug business
with DR.. w. L. Brown, a former resi-
dent of FennimOre, he has lived in
or near FennimOre ever since. One of
these intervals was spent in Kansas
at the time when the frontier was
wild and rough. His experiences there
made deep impression on him and
were often referred to in after life.
DR.. Bailey was graduate Of the
Bennett Eclectic medical school ana
opened his office at Fennimore as a
practicing physician in May, 1889,
land for 33 years has been most close
ly identified with the life of the COM
munity. For the past nineteen years
his son, DR.. NJ. A. Bailey, has been
associated with him, an ideal and
most helpful arrangement for both.
las to the faithfulneSS he gave to his
Ipractice little need be said, every
home in which he ever ministered to
the sick, speaks of rare fidelity, I'M
bounded sympathy and devoted loyal
lty to all. His great abilities were
recognized by his professional breth-
rem and his advice was often sought
in troublesome cases.
He was for a time in charge of the
Kelley Institutes at Lancaster and
Waukesha and for a number of years
was a member of the State Medical
l.
sin State Eclectic Medical Society
and served for a time as president OF
both organizations. During the world
war he was member OF the state Or
ganization Of the Council Of National
i Defense and a member of the Nolun-
Iteer Medical Reserve.
In connection with the affairs OF
the community and state he render
ed much valuable service. For many
years he was president of the vii
lage and during these years gave
most unseIfsh and energetic service, |
thinking only of the best interests of
his home community He was the
first president of the Big Day Asso-
citation" He was a public spirited |
citizen and took an active part in To-
cal and county affairs. He served ms
party for a number Of years as chalf-
man of the Republican county COM
mittee.
May 90, 1877, DR.. Bailey was hap
nilv married to Artilla Z. Rogers at
Fennimore. To this union two chill
dren were born, a daughter who
died in infancy and DR.. Mark A.
by his devoted wife, son Mark and
grandson, Mark Byron Bailey, in
whose development and care he took |
an especial interest and pride.
Forty years ago this spring ne
was made a Mason at Lake ;Prestf !, !
=,
led and active in Masonry, having for
a time been Master of Fennimore |
Lodge No. 219 with which he affili- !
ated and of which he has been an /
Ihonored member for many years.
DR.. Bailey has lived a good and
useful life, he has been permitted to
live out the full three score and ten !
and these years have been crowded to |
the full limit with genuine usefuI-
ness. -
interest in everything that has been
for the welfare of the city and given
/ of his time and talents in helping to
promote its best interests.
AS a practicing physician he knew
as many of the older doctors knew
the hardships and sacrifices that |
were necessary to pass through in
those days before the telephone, good |
roads. rural mail service made the
work more pleasant, and yet ever
faithful to his calling did not hest |
ttate to go and perform his duty.
MANY families will rise up to call him
blessed. We of the present genera
ltion little dream of the great DEBT
iof gratitude we owe to such men as
IDr. Bailey He had a deep profound
sympathy for those in trouble and
sickness and his tender heart was al
ways moved to help.
/ AS husband and father he was
most devoted and loyal The com
fort and happiness of his loved ones
WAS his first concern.
| AS a friend he was true blue and
stuck through thick and thin, |
Through JOY and sorrow alike. This
was Characteristic of him. loyal and |
true to those who trusted him and |
looked to him for counsel. |