Bailey, David J., 1844-

David J. Bailey was born in Butts County, Georgia on January 16, 1844. He lived in Alabama and Kentucky before clerking in a store in Evansville, Indiana during the Civil War. In August 1865, he journeyed overland to Montana Territory with a freighting outfit, traveling via Fort Kearney, South Platte, and Cache-la-Poudre to Laramie Plains and Green River before going north to Virginia City. He first ranched in the Virginia City area but afterwards worked in a variety of positions at various locations in Montana including: Merchant at Twin Bridges (Madison County); deputy treasurer (Gallatin County); farmer (Meagher County); Clerk and treasurer (Missoula County). He married Rosa Pierce in 1864, and they had one daughter, Bertha, who later married E. J. Owenhouse, the father of James Owenhouse. After the death of Rosa Bailey in 1871, Bailey remarried and had four children with his second wife, Josie M. Pauley Bailey.

From the guide to the David J. Bailey Reminiscence, 1900, (Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections)

David J. Bailey was born on January 16, 1844 in Butts County, Georgia. His parents were James and Eliza (Higgins) Bailey, both of whom died in 1848. After attending school in Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky, David became a store clerk.

In 1864 Bailey married Rosa Pierce. They came to Montana Territory in August 1865 from Evansville, Indiana. After living on a ranch near Virginia City for less than two years, David moved frequently and opened a store in Twin Bridges, operated a dairy business in Utah, drove cattle to Bozeman, taught school, and farmed.

In 1871 his daughter, Bertha Bailey was born. Rosa died shortly after, and Bertha lived with other family members, growing up and living in the Bozeman area for the rest of her life. In 1876 David married Josie Pauley, and they had four children. In 1889 he was elected Treasurer of Missoula County, and in 1898 moved to Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a bookkeeper in a hotel. He died there sometime in the 1910s.

From the description of David J. Bailey reminiscence, 1905. (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 723551442