My Genealogy Hound

EDSON BAILEY. The gentleman whose is well known to the people of Wayne, Schuyler County, of which place he is Postmaster. He is a man of prominence in the community, not only from the honorable manner in which he transacts his duties as an official, but also from his personal excellence of mind and heart.

Mr. Bailey is a native of this county, and was born April 19, 1842, in Tyrone. His father was the late Wright Bailey, and his mother prior to her marriage was known as Miss Mary Bodine, and now makes her home in Wayne. Her union with Wright Bailey resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Edson, John J. and Charles D. Edson was reared on his father’s farm in the town of Tyrone, in which locality he received a good education. It was his ambition to rise in the world and to occupy a higher position in life. However, he remained at home with his parents until his marriage, December 31, 1864, when he took for his wife Miss Elizabeth J. Jewell, who was born in Wayne, Steuben County, and who was the daughter of Nelson Jewell, also of Wayne. After his marriage Mr. Bailey engaged in cultivating the soil until April, 1893, and that year we find him engaged in the mercantile business in Wayne, in company with his daughter, Mrs. Maggie Lewis. The latter, who was the elder of his two children, married George M. Lewis, who is now deceased. The other member of his family is Edson, Jr.

Mr. Bailey was appointed Postmaster of Wayne in February, 1894. He is a thoroughly reliable official and is pleasant and courteous to deal with. For four years he was Highway Commissioner, and for a period of six years was the incumbent of the office of Town Assessor. Politically he is an ardent Democrat, and his influence, by example and otherwise, is used to advance the interests of the community in which he resides.

In the town of Tyrone there is a fine estate containing one hundred and eighty-eight acres, which Mr. Bailey owns, and this he rents to good advantage, his interests in the village occupying his entire attention. Mrs. Maggie Lewis has two sons, Harry and Leon. Her husband was one of the prominent merchants of Wayne, and died September 30, 1892, since which time she has carried on business in connection with her father.