From the rugged hills of New England sprang a people who have left their impress for good upon every part of the American continent. That impress is recognized in an untiring industry, the courage of their convictions, and loyalty to their Government. The same industry which converted the naturally barren soil of New England into fields of profit; the same courage which led the Pilgrims to follow the dictates of their own conscience amidst religious persecution; the same loyalty which inspired them with love of country, yet follow her sons wherever they may be. Many of our representative men are proud to claim her sons among their ancestors. This is true of the subject of this sketch.

Hon. Joseph Mead Bailey, LL. D., was born in town of Middlebury, Wyoming Co., N. Y., June 22, 1833. His father, Deacon Aaron Bailey, was also a native of the Empire State, having been born in Marcellus, in December, 1801; his mother, a native of Connecticut, was Maria, daughter of Rev. Bartimeus Branam. The maternal grandmother, a Miss Clark, was a lineal descendant of Richard Clarke, who was a mate of the Mayflower, and the first man to set foot on New England soil. The grandfather, Aaron Bailey, a native of New Hampshire, was in the strictest sense of the word a pioneer. When yet a youth, he left his native hills of New Hampshire, for a home at Marcellus, N. Y., when, in 1806, he went to the then unsettled wilds of Wyoming County in the same State. In 1840 we find him, true to his pioneer tastes, in this county near the present city of Lena.

Grandfather Bailey was in many respects a remarkable man. In 1842, during the severe winter months, and when seventy years of age, he returned to his old home in Westmoreland, the place of his boyhood, on horseback, and thence back again in the same manner the following spring, a feat that the youth of to-day would hesitate to undertake. He passed from earthly scenes on New Year’s Day, 1857, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Deacon Aaron Bailey inherited in a large measure the sterling qualities of his father, and was distinguished for his upright life and strict integrity in business transactions. He spent his entire life in his native State of New York.

The subject of this biography pursued his primary studies at Middlebury Academy, and subsequently entered the University of Rochester, where he completed his classical course, being graduated in 1854, with the degree of A. B. Based upon his devotion to literary pursuits the degree of A. M. was conferred, in 1857. Soon after his graduation he entered the law office of E. A. Hopkins, an eminent attorney of Rochester, and in 1855 was admitted to the bar. His examination, together with that of five other aspirants, was conducted under the auspices of the Supreme Court of New York. As indicative of its rigor, but half the applicants proved successful.

Judge Bailey, in 1856, joined the tide of Western emigration, and coming to this State, selected the young city of Freeport as his future home. Here he opened an office, and here his evident talent, studious habits and close application to business, won for him a generous and lucrative patronage. In 1857 he formed a partnership with W. D. Mechin, which continued two years. On the 2d of February, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Olin, daughter of John and Maria Olin, of Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., the wedding taking place at the residence of the bride’s parents. In 1863 he became associated with T. W. S. Brawley, now of Chicago, which partnership continued six years. Subsequently, with James I. Neff, Esq., he transacted an extensive law business, and the firm of Bailey & Neff continued until the election of the senior member as Circuit Judge, in 1877. During these years, however, Judge Bailey was not permitted to pursue uninterruptedly the practice of his profession, as, in 1866, an admiring constituency elected him to represent his district in the General Assembly of Illinois, in which body he served four years. While a member of the Legislature he introduced many important measures, and was instrumental in effecting the passage of some admirable bills which had been trembling in the balance.

In 1876 Judge Bailey was one of the Presidential electors, and assisted in casting the 185 votes which resulted in the selection of Rutherford B. Hayes as national Executive. In 1879, Judge Bailey received the degree of LL. D. from both the Universities of Rochester and Chicago, an honor which he has justly merited by his efficiency as a jurist.

Judge Bailey and his amiable and estimable wife became the parents of three children, all living, two sons and a daughter: Charles O, is a practicing attorney at Sioux Falls, Dak.; Joseph M., Jr., is a banker, and the financial manager of the German-American Loan and Trust Company of the same place; Anna M., now a young girl of eleven years, continues at home with her parents. The Judge has been a worthy member of the Baptist Church for a period of over forty years, and socially, is a Mason in good standing, having taken the Knight Templar and Consistory degrees. The family residence is a fine brick structure, located on Stephenson street, and the central figure of a beautiful lawn, ornamented with evergreen and native trees. Adjacent to the dwelling, the carriage barns, stable and other out-buildings, tasteful and substantial in their character, add an air of plenty and comfort to the surroundings, and indicate the home of intelligence and refinement. Here the Judge and his accomplished lady hospitably entertain their old friends and welcome new ones, and here they have established a home which, with their names, will be pleasantly remembered many years by those who come after them.

Contributed by Carol Parrish Portraits & Biographical 1888 Pg 752