William Keithley Bailes Kittitas Co., WA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ Contributed by: Shelli Steedman 4/20/2007 GRANDPA BAILES PIONEER PASTOR OF CITY IS DEAD. AGED COUPLE CELEBRATED THEIR 68TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY HERE. WIFE IS SERIOUSLY ILL. NOW CONFINED TO HER BED WITH PNEUMONIA-LEAVES 100 LIVING DESCENDANTS. The death of Grandpa Keathly Bailes at the home of his daughter, Mr. F. C. Barnhart, on North Ruby Street, occurred at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday [March 17, 1915]. The funeral will take place at the Christian Church Sunday morning next, Rev. Mr. Escherman of Tacoma officiating. Death was a result of a complication of diseases, coupled with extreme age. Grandpa Bailes leaves his aged wife, who is now seriously ill with pneumonia [wife survived her illness and died four years later], seven daughters and two sons. The former are Mrs. F. C. Barnhart, Mrs. T. C. Brown, and Mrs. W. H. Rader, all of this city; Mrs. Emma Royce, of Medford, Calif.; Mrs. Gus Migge, of Eugene, Ore.; Mrs. Mary Pedigo, London, Ore., and Mrs. Robert Jackson of Castle Rock, Wash. The sons are J. W. Bailes, of Hoquiam, Wn., and A. J. Bailes, of this city. Grandpa Bailes was born in 1828, and his wife in 1832. They were married January 30, 1847, and emigrated from Missouri to Oregon by ox team in 1861, and in 1878 they came to the Kittitas Valley, where he established the first church, and resided here for many years. Mr. Bailes was ordained a minister of the Christian Church when he was but 19 years old, continuing that calling all his long life until last summer when his failing health caused him to relinquish his ministry in London, Oregon. He and his wife came here early in the winter to spend the season with their daughter, Mrs. F. C. Barnhart, and other children. January 31st last they celebrated the 68th anniversary of their wedding day at the daughter's home, when fourteen of their immediate family sat down to dinner with them. They have one hundred living descendants, comprising children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren. Grandpa Bailes was a pioneer in the county and in ministerial labor, and won a host of friends who will be pained to learn of his death, especially a month the older residents. *********** William Keithly Bailes was the son of Thomas Bailes and Elizabeth King. He was married to Sarah A. Marshall. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery.