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DANIEL BAILEY. This name is borne by a prominent citizen of Clear Lake Township, whose life and labors here extend over a period of more than thirty years. During this time Mr. Bailey has been found standing on the side of truth and justice, and manifesting the true spirit of American progress in his business affairs and his connection with the advance of civilization. He is living on a fine farm consisting of two hundred and thirty-four acres of improved land, where every structure which will add to the comfort and convenience of the occupants meets the eye of the beholder. Mr. Bailey has been engaged in general stock raising from his early manhood and is well versed in the peculiarities of various breeds of domestic animals and, therefore, well able to care for them.

Our subject was reared on a farm, his father Thomas Bailey having been engaged in tilling the soil. The Baileys were residents of Eastern Tennessee, where the father of our subject died in 1830, while still in the prime of life. His wife Melvina Moore, was a native of Virginia; she survived until 1862 breathing her last in this county. The parental family consisted of four children two of whom are now living.

Hawkins County, Tenn., was the birthplace of our subject whose natal day was September 7, 1824. A log house nestled among the mountains was his childhood's home and his educational opportunities were very limited. Having been left fatherless when but six years old, he was taken into the household of his uncle Wesley Ball, with whom he remained until he was past eighteen years of age. He then married and engaged in farming, carrying on that occupation several years in his native State. In 1849 he came hither traveling on a boat down the Tennessee River to Chattanooga and thence to Nashville by team; there he again boarded a boat upon which he pursued his journey as far as Keokuk, Iowa.

Coming down into Sangamon County, Mr. Bailey spent a year on Round Prairie, then removed to Clear Lake township, where in 1858 he purchased a small farm. With the exception of the years passed in valiant service in behalf of his country Mr. Bailey has since resided in the township and prosecuted the various branches of agricultural work. When the life of the nation was threatened his patriotic spirit was aroused and he made his arrangements to leave his home with all its comforts and enjoyment, brave the dangers of the battlefield and endure the privations of camp life. July 25, 1862, he was enrolled in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and beginning his service as a Second Lieutenant, was in a few months promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Mr. Baily stood for forty-seven days before Vicksburg during the terrible siege, and again formed one of the besiegers at Jackson, Miss., to which place Johnson was followed. There the famous rebel general was followed to Brandon, which place also he was compelled to evacuate. Mr. Bailey participated in the battles of Guntown and Tupelo and led his command through Arkansas and Missouri in the chase after General Price. At the battles of Nashville and Mobile he was found in the thickest of the fight, and in the intervals between these various prominent engagements, was discharging other and equally necessary duties as a brave man should. He received several bullet holes in his clothing at various times, but escaped without a wound. He suffered somewhat from illness, but being determined to keep his place would never go to the hospital but always responded when his regiment was called for duty. Lieut. Bailey was mustered out at Vicksburg in July, 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler soon afterward.

The lady who presides in the home of Mr. Bailey bore the maiden name of Barbara Jane Lawson. She was born in that portion of Tennessee known as the "New Purchase" September 28, 1823, and having been left an orphan when quite young was reared in the family of an old Baptist preacher. Her father's death had resulted from a spear wound received during the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have had eleven children: Mary, Sarah, George W., Melvina, Charles C., Vincent, Henrietta, Emma J., Nettie B., and two that died in infancy. Sarah, George W., Vincent and Henrietta are also deceased.

Lieut. Bailey was reared under Democratic influences and gave his early political allegiance to that party. The issues which led up to the Civil War caused him to change his opinions and he has since been a Republican. He has held various local offices creditably discharging the duties of diverse positions. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Both himself and wife belong to the Baptist church and have high standing in that religious society. They are esteemed by their fellow citizens in general, as their intelligence, fine characters and general usefulness merit.