Berton Lawrence Bailey

Greenwood, Clark County, Wisconsin

Berton Lawrence Bailey was born at Black River Falls, Wis., Feb. 19, 1868, the son of Abner Woodman and Julia Tyler (Clough) Bailey. He attended school, grew to manhood and maturity, and married Frances Hungerford October 30, 1893 (Vol. 2, pg. 97).  She was born December 29, 1868 in West, Brome, Quebec, Canada and died April 11, 1895.  She is buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.  March 28, 1897, Bert married Eva Althea Van Evera, March 28, 1897 (Vol. 2, pg. 192).  They later divorced.

"Bert" lived in Greenwood, Clark County until about 1901.

He died at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon on May 25, 1918, shortly after a stomach operation. Up until the need for the operation he had been well and in the best of spirits.

The Bailey family were some of the earliest pioneers of Greenwood, Wisconsin.  A. W. Bailey, who had carried on a business of manufacturing sash, doors, binds, etc., at Black River Falls, established himself at Greenwood.  The first furniture and undertaking business was also that of Abner Bailey and his son Dorrie, presumably because they could also provide coffins.  The building where they conducted their business was later occupied by Lawrence Berg, photographer.  Then, for many years, George W. Bishop conducted his undertaking business in the same building.

This building was originally built and owned by Abner Bailey (Father of Bert).

Bert's brother, Dorrance, was killed by lightning in 1886.  During a thunderstorm, lightening struck a windmill which was used by Bailey's Furniture and Undertaking Factory for power, and entered the building, killing "Dorry" Bailey, who was working there. This same day Kin Andrews claimed he had found a meteor which had fallen across the corner from Bailey's. He called Dr. Thomas' attention to it, who on examining the stone found it still warm and noted the grass was burned where it had fallen. Later it developed that Kin with other boys was just having some fun and had heated the rock and thrown it there.  Both brothers, their parents and several other family members are buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.

His sisters were:  Mrs. Kountz and Mrs. Williams and his three children were: Frances Faye, Lorence Dudley, and Van Everera.
 

Letters

...........In recent years, in recalling funny incidents that occurred in the days not “be fo’ de wah,” but before the Gleaner had commenced to record passing events.  One such is “exciting my risible as I think of it now – the time when Pete Klein wanted to sell his hogs to Chris Wollenberg.  “Are they fat?” asked the lean butcher.  “Fat, of course they’re fat!” answered Pete.  “The I don’t want ‘em,” retorted Chris.  The laugh come in over Peter’s attempt to correct the tactical error he at once saw that he had made in describing his hogs as “fat,” when probably at the time Chris was carrying an overstock of lard, which he could not sell at any reasonable price (certainly not for the 16 cents a pound at which it goes now, in Portland at least).  Pete’s last word, according to the story as it was told, was “Oh, they ain’t so AWFULLY fat!”  If my recollection serves me, the italicized word is not just the word Pete used.  If it isn’t, Chris could probably supply the right one, and confidentially, that word, in that connection, was so absurdly a misfit that it was a barrel of fun in itself.  From Bert Bailey of Portland, Oregon to Max C. Baldwin, editor of the Greenwood Gleaner in 1909.

News Clips

Mr. Bailey, our village undertaker, has lately received a large stock of furniture and undertaker’s goods, which he says he will sell very cheap. Greenwood Gleaner 8th & 11th February, 1881.
 

L. D. Bailey, of Kansas, a brother of A. W. Bailey, is now spending a few days in town, prior to seeking new fields of operation along the northern boundaries of Dakota.  Greenwood Gleaner, 18 July, 1882.

Bailey is going to build a new barn, if Tom Miller ever gets the lumber sawed.  Greenwood Gleaner, 15 September, 1882.

Today, Mr. Hart is moving A. W. Bailey’s furniture store south, to make room for a street in the vacated place, opening up A. S. Eaton’s forty acres which have just been platted by C. M. Breed, of Neillsville. Desirable village lots are now ready for sale on the most favorable terms. Many are already engaged in advance of the plot. It is a healthy addition to the growing interests of Greenwood.  Greenwood Gleaner, 29 September, 1882.

L. M. Sturdevant was a guest at the Bailey house last week. The Clark Republican and Press 30 December, 1886 .

The W. C. T. U. met Wednesday with Mrs. Chas. Cummings and elected officers for ensuing year, as follows: Mrs. E. Parker, president; Mrs. Julia Bailey, first vice-president; Mrs. Cummings second vice-president; Mr. O. C. Behrens, secretary; Mary Mason, treasurer. Three new members were received into the society. The next meeting is called for March 7, to meet with Mrs. A. Dingley at 2:30 p.m. All interested in temperance work are invited to be present.  Greenwood Gleaner, 23 Feb 1900.

Mrs. Julia Bailey and Mrs. J. M. Burnside left yesterday morning for Neillsville where they will visit a day or so, then start for a few days visit at Marshfield, Rib Lake and the Twin Cities. Greenwood Gleaner, 23 Feb 1900.

Jessie Swetland came home from Antium, Mich., last Saturday. She has been helping Mrs. B. L. Bailey during the summer. Gleaner 8-24-1900

Census Records

1860- NH- Merrimack-Newbury- Page 13- June 19, 1860
Baily, Abner, age 35, male, farmer, born in NH.
Wife Julia and 3 children.

1870 Wisconsin, Jackson, Albion, page 12 - June 3, 1870
Bailey, Abner, 40, male, white, carpenter, born NH
Wife Julia - and 4 children. Moved to Wisconsin between 1860-1868 according to children's birth places

Family Notes

Abner Woodman Bailey (Father of Berton Bailey)
Born: 23 Jan 1825 in Sutton, Merrimack, New Hampshire
Died: 17 Jan 1900 in Greenwood, Clark, Wisconsin
Buried in Greenwood, City Cemetery
Married: 16 Mar 1852
Father: Dudley Bailey
Mother: Sarah Woodman

Julia Tyler Clough (Mother of Berton Bailey)
Born: 3 Apr 1833 in Orange, Grafton, New Hampshire
Died: 3 Apr 1924 in Neillsville, Clark, Wisconsin
Buried: Place: Greenwood, Clark, Wisconsin
Married: 16 Mar 1852
Father: James Clough
Mother: Sarah Sargent

Dr. Buland boarded at Dorrence Bailey’s boarding house.  Memories of Theresa Funk, Withee, Hixon Township, Clark Co., WI

Sources

Greenwood Gleaner, 6/6/1918

Related Links

Cemetery Record

Bio: Kountz, Richard F. (1848)

BioM: Bailey, Jennie Estella (1885)