Alexander Bailey (Wisconsin)
Alexander Bailey (June 26, 1824 – May 28, 1907) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Biography
Alexander Bailey was born in Lorraine, New York on June 26, 1824 to George and Olive (Kasson) Bailey. He attended public schools until he was thirteen, when he was enrolled in the Adams Seminary. He graduated when he was seventeen and taught school for two years. In 1843, Bailey came west to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bailey located a 160-acre (65 ha) plot of land to his liking in Brighton, Kenosha County and established a farm. Bailey farmed during the summer and taught school during winters. He was named town constable for 1844–45 and served as tax assessor for 1850–51.[1]
In 1856, he moved to a 145-acre (59 ha) lot in Salem. He built the first permanent building in the settlement, a store that he rented to Shuyler Benson. Bailey was named superintendent of Salem schools in 1858. In 1859, Bailey was named the Salem agent for the Chicago and North Western Railway. The next year, Bailey was named town postmaster, a position he held until 1884. Bailey was elected Salem treasurer in 1862, serving until 1869. In 1870, Bailey was elected as a Republican to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving one one-year term.[1]
Bailey married Betsey L. Haws on July 16, 1843, just before he left for Wisconsin. They had seven children. He died on May 28, 1907 and was buried at Liberty Cemetery.[1]