My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES M. BAILEY, river pilot, McKeesport, was born in that city Nov. 24, 1835, son of Joseph M. and Nancy (Whigham) Bailey. His father, a native of Norristown, Pa., a shoemaker by trade, was among the early settlers of McKeesport, where he embarked in business as a coal-operator with his brother, Madison Bailey, and William Whigham, in which he successfully continued until his death, in December, 1850. He had following-named children: William M., Charles M., Caroline (Mrs. James Whitaker), Thomas Melvin (who died Sept. 30, 1843), Orphalena V. and Sarah A. (Mrs. Oliver P. Fritz). The maternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Whigham, a pioneer farmer of Mifflin township. Charles M. Bailey was reared in McKeesport, and received a limited education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went on the river as a deck-hand, and worked his way up to the positions of mate, captain and pilot, and since 1854 has followed towing in those capacities between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, New Orleans and other points. In October, 1860, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Coleman, of Mifflin township, and has one son, William McClelan. During the civil war Mr. Bailey was of considerable service to the United States government in towing boats through southern rivers. He has been identified with the First National Bank of McKeesport since its organization; is a member of the C. P. Church, and one of the charter members of Alliquippa Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 375; is a member of the Steamboat Officers’ Protective association, and has served one term as member of the city council. Politically he is a democrat.