California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


CHARLES H. BAILEY. Five and a half miles west of Merced is located the eighty-acre ranch 
of Charles H. Bailey, a successful rancher and dairyman of the British Colony, and one of 
the deservedly prominent men of this section. A native of the state, he was born in Sacramento 
county, eleven miles from Sutter's Fort, January 17, 1854, his parents being Joshua T. and Susan 
(Hughes) Bailey, the latter a native of Illinois. The father was born in Wisconsin in 1804, and 
in manhood became an engineer, one of his most important achievements being the erection 
of a smelting works in his native state. He also engaged extensively in the lumber business. In 
1849, m company with his two sons, Joel and James Bailey, he came to California by way of 
the Isthmus of Panama, upon their arrival proceeding at once to the mines at Placerville, where 
they made a fortune digging gold. In 1853 he returned home by the same route and in the 
same year brought his family to California, crossing the plains with a large drove of cattle and 
horses. At Ash Hollow they had a severe encounter with the Indians, and lost a part of their 
cattle. On the trip out Mrs. Bailey was taken prisoner by the Indians, but her recapture 
was safely effected. She was also useful at one time in making bullets for the soldiers at Fort 
Laramie. On reaching California a second time Mr. Bailey located in the Sacramento valley and 
engaged in the stock business, operating on a very extensive scale, and was very successful 
until he lost much of his stock during the floods of 1862. Soon after that disaster he became 
interested in fruit culture, setting out a large vineyard which was one of the first in Sacramento 
county. In this occupation he continued until his death, which occurred at the ripe age of 
eighty-four years. For so many years identified with the best interests of the state in its 
pioneer growth, Mr. Bailey is justly numbered among the men who laid the foundation for the 
present prosperity and greatness of California. Besides Charles H. Bailey his living children 
are as follows : Joel, on the old home place in Sacramento county ; George, located in San Luis 
Obispo county; Joshua, also of Sacramento county; and Nellie, the wife of A. B. Blair, of 
Santa Cruz. 

The home of Charles H. Bailey remained in Sacramento county until he was seventeen years 
old, when he became dependent upon his own resources, with the characteristic self-reliance 
of the young pioneer. Following his early training he engaged in farming until 1884, being 
located in Yolo county, going thence to San Joaquin county, where he remained four years. 
Returning home he spent some time on the paternal ranch, when, in 1895, he came to Merced 
county and purchased his present farm. As before mentioned this consists of eighty acres of 
fine farm land, which is devoted to the cultivation of alfalfa and grain, while he also suc- 
cessfully conducts a dairy, which is supplied by twenty-four cows, of graded and thoroughbred 
stock, in which he takes the greatest pride and interest. Mr. Bailey has made a success in his 
work and is honored throughout the county for the many sterling traits of character which dis- 
tinguish him. 

The marriage of Mr. Bailey united him with Mrs. Kezziah (Melson) Howell, a widow with one 
daughter, Zoie, now the wife of H. Davis. Mrs. Bailey was a native of Iowa, and the daughter 
of James Melson. She died April 21, 1904. By this union with Mr. Bailey one daughter, 
Ethel, was born. In his political preferment Mr. Bailey is a Republican and fraternally he 
affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Native Sons of the Golden West. 
Always taking an active interest in the advancement of the general welfare of the community, 
Mr. Bailey was an invaluable influence in securing rural delivery for this part of the county.