Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Bailey, Leman H. 1892
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net November 11, 2009, 1:02 pm

Ionia Daily Standard, 18 May 1892

Another Old-Time Business Man Joins His Friends on the Other Shore.

Leman H. Bailey, widely known in the state as proprietor for many years of the 
Bailey house in this city, died at the family residence on Washington street, 
this morning.

Mr. Bailey was born in Wayne county, N.Y., January 1, 1820.  His father moved 
to the Western Reserve, Ohio, when L.H. was quite young, and his first 
experience in business life was in that section.  He kept hotel in Bedford, 
Twinsburg and a suburb of Cleveland.  He came to Ionia in July, 1852, and was 
in business here for the thirty-seven years up to three years ago, when he gave 
up the management of the hotel to his sons, excepting the period, from 1876 to 
1880, when he was proprietor of the Chapman house at Lansing.  His first 
venture here was in the grocery and restaurant business; in which he continued 
until 1861, when his store was burned, and his stock was entirely lost by fire, 
without insurance, leaving him without means.  Through the kind offices of 
friends he was enabled to open a hotel in what was known as the Higham house, 
located on Main street, just west of Union block and which was subsequently 
removed to Front street, and is now known as the Capitol hotel.  He continued 
there until 1864, when he built a double store on the site of his former place 
of business, where the Eagle block now stands, retired from the hotel and re-
engaged in the grocery business.  In February, 1865, he was again a victim to 
fire, losing his store and stock, but saving $2,000 insurance.  He then 
purchased the property known as the Eagle hotel, and once more entered upon the 
business of entertaining the traveling public.  This property he greatly 
enlarged and improved at different times, to keep pace with the increasing 
demands of business, and subsequently changed the name to Bailey house, by 
which it has become one of the best known and most popular hotels in this 
state, which is justly celebrated for its excellent hostelries.

Mr. Bailey possessed a high standard of integrity and has enjoyed to a high 
degree the respect and confidence of the community.  He leaves a widow and four 
children: Frank A., of Port Huron; Mary A., wife of Frank Keeler, of East 
Saginaw; and Herbert L. and Edward R., present proprietors of the Bailey House.

The funeral is expected to take place from the Disciples church on Wednesday 
afternoon, and will be attended by the Masonic lodge in a body, who will 
conduct the services at the grave.


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