| James Miner Bailey
(Nov 14 1879 - Oct 21 1953) James Miner (Jim) Bailey was the eldest of the nine
children of Rufus and Elizabeth Bailey and was fourteen years old when the family moved
from Kansas to Oklahoma Territory in 1894. He received his education in the public schools
of Hoyt, Kansas and Oklahoma Territory. He developed a natural interest in machinery and
completed a correspondence course in Mechanical Engineering.
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.
OBITUARY: 10/22/1953
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
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.
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