- http://www.paintedhills.org/POTTER/Pottercoclippings.html
ELMER BAILEY - News came Monday, Oct. 14, 1898, that Elmer Bailey, well known in this vicinity, was dead and would be buried at Westport on Tuesday. He lived in Philadelphia the past ten years, where he was engaged in manufacturing an air gun, invented by himself. But, the last few months he had been suffering from nervous prostration,
which ended in death on Saturday, Nov. 12th.
He was the only son of Washington and Eliza (Williams) Bailey, whose home is on First Fork, Cameron County, where Elmer was born in 1860.
Graduated from Lock Haven Normal in 1880, youngest member of his class and one of its best students. After teaching a few terms he came to Coudersport and entered pharmacy of M. S. Thompson as a drug clerk;
by natural aptitude and close application to work, became one of the best druggists in the county. In 1886 joined his father in a lumber job on First Fork and while lumbering, invented an air gun that promised at one time to bring a large fortune. Went to Philadelphia to manufacture the product, but failed to realize on it what he had anticipated.
About this time he married Cora Stewart, very estimable young lady of Westport.
One child was born, but it died in 1897 and Mrs. Bailey, heartbroken, returned to her home where she has remained past year.
As a boy Elmer was studious and ambitious, though somewhat indifferent to the finer amenities of life, was kind hearted. As he grew to manhood, he bent all his energies to individual success in whatever he undertook. Naturally impatient of restraint, he loved an indulgent Christian father and mother and was generous and unselfish toward his friends. As school mate, teacher, and neighbor the writer of the subject of this sketch, (M. J. Colcord), loved him for the many expressions of kindly and generous impulses that were a part of Elmer Bailey’s nature and remembers him with only the recollection of those thousand kindness’ that outweigh the few faults of a wayward, impulsive nature. We mourn with the wife, parents, sisters, and friends for the life, which held so much of promise, cut down in the noontide.
Another obituary:
Elmer Ellsworth Bailey, born June 23, 1861, died Nov. 12, 1898 at his Philadelphia home of heart failure super induced by grip, contracted three weeks before. Ill in bed only five days. During this time had catarrh of stomach, caused by the grip, but had passed the crisis in this disease and was recovering from it when suddenly and unexpectedly to his wife and physicians and friends who were constantly in attendance, he died without a struggle.
Was only son and eldest of five children of Washington and Eliza (Williams) Bailey of First Fork, Cameron County.
Here he grew to manhood under influence of Christian parents from whom he inherited the honor and integrity, which has always been synonymous with the family name. He has a host of true friends. Owing to his brilliant mind and many accomplishments he was welcomed in the most exclusive circles while the most humble of his acquaintances also relied on him as a true friend. Was also a great temperance worker. Always bright and active, he eagerly grasped every opportunity to improve his mind and ambition that were far beyond the ordinary. For this reason he went to Philadelphia in April, 1892, to manufacture an air gun of which his own invention, which proved a success in every way and that found a ready sale through the U.S. and in foreign countries. Was associated with J. A. Barten, of Sixth and Arch Streets., In manufacture of these guns at time of death.
Remains accompanied to Westport by his stricken wife and his partner, Mr. Barten, where he was buried by the side of his little son, Stewart Washington, who died July 10, 1897.
Funeral Tuesday, Nov. 15. Rev. O. S. Oyler, of M. E. Church assisted by Rev. J. D. Cook, Presbyterian pastor, conducted service at home of his father-in-law.
The father, two sisters and many other relatives and friends, but the mother and other living sister were detained by sickness. Pall bearers were
- M. S. Thompson,
- A. B. Mann, Coudersport;
- Thos. Collier, Bradford;
- J. L. Emery,
- G. W. Courter and
- G. W. Armstrong of Westport.
Floral tributes were many and beautiful. Thus ends a noble life in its noontide. Westport, PA - December 20, 1898
Elmer-
He was the only son of Washington and Eliza (Williams) Bailey, whose home is on First Fork, Cameron County, where Elmer was born in 1860.
and-
Was only son and eldest of five children of Washington and Eliza (Williams) Bailey of First Fork, Cameron County.
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