Olive Hill Cemetery

Jim Bailey, 74, Pioneer Dies James Miner Bailey, 74, pioneer state resident, died late Wednesday in St. Anthony hospital following an illness of two years. He had recently suffered a hip injury and had been hospitalized for about two weeks. Born in Hoyt, Kan., Bailey came to Oklahoma territory as a boy in 1894. He homesteaded with his parents 13 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. He first was associated with the J. i. Case Co. here as a salesman and demonstrator of threshing machines. In 1902, the company sent him to South America as their representative in Argentina. He returned to Oklahoma in 1915 and engaged in a number of business ventures here. In 1922, he moved to Britton. He served as a member of the Britton City council for several terms. Two years ago he took up his residence with his sister, Mrs. Berta B. Lay, northwest of the city. In addition to Mrs. Lay, he is survived by another sister, Mrs. Sara Sitlington, Dexter, Kan., and two brothers, Ralph Bailey, Albuquerque, N.M. and Fred Bailey, Yukon. Services are pending at the Watts funeral home.

OBITUARY: 10/23/1953

JAMES M. BAILEY
Britton Man's Services Today Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in the Britton Methodist church for James Miner Bailey, 74, former councilman who died late Wednesday in St. Anthony hospital following an illness of two years. The body will be taken to Tulsa for cremation. Bailey was born in Hoyt, Kan., and came to Oklahoma territory in 1894, settling with his parents on a homestead 13 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. He later served as a salesman and demonstrator of threshing machines for the J. i. Case Co. of Oklahoma City. The company in 1902 sent him to South America where he spent the next 13 years. Following his return, he engaged in a number of business ventures. In 1922 he moved to Britton and served as a member of the city council there for several terms. Two years ago he made his home with his sister, Mrs. Berta B. Lay NW of city. Also surviving are another sister, Mrs. Sarah Sitlington, Dexter, Kan., and two brothers, Ralph Bailey, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Fred Bailey, Yukon.

He was first associated with the J. i. Case Company of Racine, Wisconsin, maker of farm machinery and was their sales representative and demonstrator of threshing machines in the Oklahoma City area. In 1902 the company sent him to South America as their representative in Argentina. He also spent one year in Russia demonstrating threshing machines.

During those years different kinds of machinery had to be modified to meet the agricultural needs of the country, so he had many inventions to his credit. One of his inventions was new and useful improvements in Internal Combustion Engines for which he received a patent in 1914.

He severed his relations with the J. i. Case Company and returned to the United States in 1915. There he engaged in a number of business ventures. He owned a steam engine and threshing equipment and spent several summers threshing grain for farmers. He owned and operated a cotton gin at Bethany, Oklahoma for many years. He was co-developer of Silver Lake, Oklahoma City and did all the engineering work on the project. He moved to Britton in 1922 and served on the Britton City Council for several terms.

Jim never married and after his father passed away his mother depended on him to take care of her business. He became the "head of the clan" and the young members of the family often sought his counsel. Many friends depended upon him.

While Jim did not have as much formal education as some members of the family, he read widely, was a student of world affairs, spoke several languages, and was an interesting conversationalist (but did not speak without definite knowledge of his subject).

His character and integrity were above reproach. He was strong, honest, courageous, plain spoken, convincing, gentle, and generous.