BIO: Joel BAILEY, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JAWB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
_______________________________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 290-291.
_______________________________________________________________ 

  BAILEY, GEN. JOEL, was born in Penn's Manor, Bucks county, Pa., on 
September 26, 1789.  His parents, Joseph and Lydia Bailey, were 
Quakers.  His ancestors were among the original settlers of 
Pennsylvania, coming from England in 1682.
  He learned the trade of a blacksmith in his native county, and in 
1810 removed to and settled in the then little village of Harrisburg.  
He was an active, intelligent, enterprising young man, who started in 
the world "on his own hook" and to make his fortune.  He established a 
blacksmith shop on the site of the Hotel Columbus, opposite the present 
postoffice building, at the corner of Third and Walnut streets, 
Harrisburg, more than eighty years ago, and for many years did all the 
important work in his line of business in this section.  Much of the 
iron work of the old State capitol was manufactured or done under his 
supervision.  Subsequently he was largely engaged in contract work.  He 
was one of the principal men in the construction of the Chesapeake and 
Delaware canal, the Wiconisco Feeder, the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, 
the Cumberland Valley railroad, and the Gettysburg or so-called "Tape 
Worm" railroad, building many of its sections and culverts, the latter 
of which stand to-day as monuments of engineering skill and 
construction.  These are yet to be seen in the present Gettysburg and 
Harrisburg railroad.
  From his earliest youth Mr. Bailey was much interested in military 
affairs.  He was first lieutenant in Capt. Richard M. Crain's company, 
which served in the war of 1812-14, and which marched to the defense of 
Baltimore under the command of Gen. John Forster, of Harrisburg, who 
had charge of the Pennsylvania troops.  In 1829 and 1830 he was keeper 
of the State arsenal under the administration of Governor Wolf, and 
there are, in the possession of his son, letters referring to orders 
for guns, ammunition, etc., from George B. Porter, adjutant general and 
subsequently governor of Michigan Territory under General Jackson's 
administration, and subsequently from Simon Cameron, who also served as 
adjutant general under Governor Wolf.  For several years General Bailey 
served as brigade inspector of the militia of Dauphin county, and was 
afterwards brigadier general of the troops comprised in Dauphin, 
Lebanon and Northumberland counties.
  For many years General Bailey was prominent in political affairs, 
having all his life adhered to the principles of the Democratic party.  
He was the warm, personal and political friend of William Findlay, 
George Wolf, James Buchanan, David R. Porter, Francis R. Shunk, Daniel 
Sturgeon, Judge Samuel D. Franks, James R. Snowden, William Hopkins, 
Arnold Plumer, George Sanderson and other worthies of the past.  In 
1821 he was one of the commissioners to fix the seat of justice of 
Juniata county, Lewistown being chosen.  He was chief burgess of the 
borough of Harrisburg in 1832, and served several times as a member of 
the borough council.  While chief burgess he approved an ordinance 
enacted June 25, 1832, which was also signed by N. B. Wood, president 
of the council, "authorizing a loan to be applied in improving the 
streets, lanes and alleys of the borough of Harrisburg."  The loan was 
to be for $20,000, but whether it was ever accomplished there is no 
record.  In 1833 he announced himself as a candidate for the 
Legislature for Dauphin county, but was not elected owing to the then 
condition of affairs regarding the Anti-Masonic movement.  He was also 
prominent in Masonic circles, having been for many years a member of 
Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, A.Y.M., of Harrisburg. 
  General Bailey was a remarkably fine-looking man.  He stood about 
five feet ten inches in height, was straight as an arrow, his shoulders 
were broad and square, and these were surrounded by a splendid head of 
brown hair.  He wore side whiskers, which gave a pleasant effect to his 
handsome, intelligent face.  He was a superb horseman, and when mounted 
looked the born soldier.  In his manner he was extremely pleasant, and 
he was the life of every social circle in which he moved.  In his 
actions, public and private, he was generous and benevolent, and his 
fellow-citizens of all classes were warmly attached to him.
  His domestic life was a very happy one.  He was married March 10, 
1814, to Elizabeth Seidle, of Berks county.  He was the father of eight 
children, six boys and two girls, the only survivor being the youngest, 
Mr. George Bailey, who still resides at the old homestead, No. 222 
Locust street.  General Bailey died on the 16th of October, 1845, at 
the comparative early age of fifty-six years.  His wife survived him 
thirty years, dying on the 14th of August, 1875, aged eighty-three 
years. 
  In all the relations of life, whether as husband, father, citizen or 
soldier, he bore himself as a man and Christian.  His death was a cause 
for sincere sorrow and mourning, not only in Harrisburg, but throughout 
the State of Pennsylvania.  He was buried with Masonic and civil 
services, and with the honors of war by the military of Dauphin, 
county.  His remains are interred in the Harrisburg cemetery.