CHARLES A. BAILEY, the leading
horse dealer in New London County, was born in Groton, February 20, 1845.
His parents were Captain Ezra and Emeline (Turner) Bailey; and his paternal
grandparents were Ezra Bailey, Sr., and Hannah Bailey, who lived on a farm
in Groton, and who had two sons, namely, Captain Ezra and Captain William
Bailey, and one daughter. Captain Ezra Bailey was one of the old-time Connecticut
whalemen, and sailed the ship "General Williams." He was drowned in the
Sound near Saybrook about 1857, in the prime of life. His wife was left
with two sons — Charles A. and Isaac Addison, the last named of whom is
now in California, where he went some nineteen years ago. The mother, Mrs.
Emeline T. Bailey, lived a widow many years, and died in March, 1885.
Mr. Charles A. Bailey began the business
in which he is now engaged, and in which he has made such a wide reputation,
in this city. He has always been very fond of horses, and has always had
great success in their management and training. No animal is so balky that
he cannot control it, and no defect in the most highly praised horse and
no strong point of excellence can escape his practised eye. The very wide
experience he has had in handling horses of high and low degree, truck
horses and those with pedigree yards long, has made him one of the best
judges, probably the best judge, of horse flesh in the State. He has bought
and sold thousands of animals, and every month receives a carload from
the West. Not only is he a good business manager and a ready salesman,
but he has a genuine appreciation of all the artistic details connected
with his business, such as matching a fine pair or selecting a handsome
saddle horse or a gentle and at the same time graceful and handsome carriage
horse for a lady. He buys largely in Michigan, and sells in the East. Among
horsemen he is widely known, and his judgment is highly respected. In the
business community at large he has a reputation for honesty and fair dealing,
and men who know him personally or only from common report are never afraid
to trust to his long experience and to his well-known skill when they wish
to make a purchase of a new horse. He is an unequalled driver, and may
often be seen behind a finely matched pair of steeds, handling the ribbons
in a manner which shows him absolute master of the situation.
Mr. Bailey was married when twenty-one years
of age to Sarah Rockwell, of Groton, now deceased. Four children were born
to them, and two survive, namely: Eugene Bailey, in New London, who has
a wife and two sons; Jennie Bailey. After the death of his first wife Mr.
Bailey married Nellie Conway, of Westerly, R.I. In politics he is an Independent.
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pg 324
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