Thomas Henry Bailey was born 19 December 1850 in England.
His father was Elijah Bailey. Nothing yet is known of the exact birthplace
of Thomas though it is rumored to be Birmingham.
On 31 October 1878, Thomas filed his Declaration of Intention
(on becoming an American citizen) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
His sponsor was listed as Alex. P. Newlon. He was officially 'naturalized'
and American citizen on 13 October 1884.
Thomas married Margaret M. McCurdy (or Macurdy) on 30 December
1879 at the home of her parents Elisha Caldwell McCurdy (or Macurdy) and
Sarah Bell Critchlow, in Butler County, Pennsylvania. On the marriage
certificate Thomas was listed as being 'of Mansfield, PA'. (Mansfield
is now known as Carnegie, PA) It is not known where Thomas was residing
before his marriage. (COPY OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
IN POSSESSION OF J. WHITEFORD)
In the 1880 Federal Census, there
was a Thomas Bailey found to be residing on Chestnut St. in the 36th ward
of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennslvania. He was boarding with
a clergyman whose name on the census sheet is illegible. He was also
listed as a clergyman at age 23 born in Pennsylvania, with both parents
listed as being natives of England. It is not known for sure if this
is the same Thomas Bailey - if it is him then his new wife was not listed
as residing with him. Margaret (Macurdy) Bailey was not living with
her parents when the 1880 census was taken, and so far no other Thomas
Bailey has shown up as a match.
In the 1882 Pittsburgh City Directory, Thomas shows up as a
clerk residing in the Mansfield Valley.
In the 1885 Pittsburgh City Directory, Thomas is listed as an
assorter at S. First & Carson (now South Side of Pitsburgh, PA) and
his home is listed as Mansfield, PA.
From the "Mansfield Item" dated 18 January 1889: Thomas H.
Bailey will move to Homestead.
From the "Carnegie Union" dated 25 November 1898: Born to
Mr. & Mrs. T. H. Bailey of Bluff St., on Thursday, November 17th, a
son.
In the 1900 federal census schedule, Thomas H. is found to be
living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He is listed as being 49
years old and born in England. His occupation is listed as furniture
salesman and owning his home. His parents are listed as being born
in England. Also listed is his wife Margaret M. at age 46 the mother
of 10 children of which 6 are living. Also listed are their children:
James A. age 19, Harvey W. Mc. age 18, Olive R. age 17, Maggie M. age 12,
Harry E. P. age 9, and Frank H. age 4. Also listed as a boarder in
the home is Albert Foust, a minister.
From the "Carnegie Union" dated 24 August 1901: Rev. McCurdey
and daughter Ethel of Independence, Iowa visited Mr. McCurdy's sister Mrs.
Thomas H. Bailey of Bluff St. this week. Also: Dr. & Mrs.
Frank John of McKeesport, visited Mrs. John's sister, Mrs. Thomas H. Bailey
of Bluff St. on Wednesday. Also: Mr. Thomas H. Bailey of Bluff
St. is quite sick this week.
From the "Carnegie Union" dated 31 August 1901: Mr. T. H.
Bailey of Bluff St. is convalescent after a serious illness.
From the "Carnegie Union" dated 7 March 1902: Mrs.
Thos. H. Bailey, who has been on the sick list for the past three weeks,
is very much improved.
According to the 1903 Pittsburgh City Directory, Thomas H. is
now listed as a clerk at the Carnegie Building #715, and his home is listed
as Bailey Ave. north of Ruth. Also living at this address at this
time were J. Alfred Bailey (his son) and Wm. Mc. Bailey (another son).
In the federal census schedule for 1910, Thomas H. is listed
along with his wife Margaret M. and the following children: Harry E. age
18, Homer F. age 14, Margaret M. Snyder age 22 (along with her husband
Wilmer F. Snyder). Thomas is listed as a clerk in a steel office
and that he is renting his home. Margaret, his wife, is listed as
56 years old and gave birth to ten children of which six are living. (COPY
OF ACTUAL CENSUS SCHEDULE IN POSSESSION OF J. WHITEFORD)
In the 1911 Pittsburgh City Directory, Thomas H. is listed as
a clerk living at 10 Bailey Ave. along with his sons James A. and Wm. M.
On 14 March 1911, Thomas' wife Margaret died from emphysema.
Her funeral was held at the Thos. P. Herschberger Funeral Home in Crafton,
PA. She was buried in Chartiers Cemetery in Allegheny Co., PA.
Margaret left a will which was signed and dated 28 December 1910 in which
she left her real estate located in Westmoreland Co., PA and valued at
$300 to her husband. At the time of his wife's death, Thomas H. was
living at 1429 Arnold St. in Chartiers Twp., Allegheny Co., PA. (COPY
OF DEATH CERTIFICATE, WILL AND APPLICATION FOR PROBATE OF WILL IN POSSESSION
OF J. WHITEFORD)
Thomas H. Bailey was residing on Arnold St. in the 2nd Precinct
of Chartiers Twp., Allegheny Co., PA during the 1920 census. He was
listed as being 69 years old and born in England. His parents were
listed as being born in England. His occupation was listed as a clerk
in a steel company. Also it is stated that he immigrated in 1874
and was naturalized in 1888. Also listed with him is his son William
at age 38, and daughter Margaret M. Snyder age 32 with her husband and
family. (COPY OF ACTUAL CENSUS SCHEDULE IN POSSESSION
OF J. WHITEFORD)
On 12 October 1923 Thomas Henry Bailey died at West Penn Hospital
in Pittsburgh, PA. of chronic myocarditis. His funeral was held at the
Thos. P. Herschberger Funeral Home in Crafton, PA. Thomas died intestate
(without a will), and further information on his estate may be found in
the Application for Letters of Administration listed below in the 'DOCUMENTS'
list. He was buried at Chartiers Cemetery in Allegheny Co., PA next
to his wife Margaret. (COPY OF DEATH CERTIFICATE
IN POSSESSION OF J. WHITEFORD)
Click HERE
to see a photo of Thomas Henry Bailey
Click HERE
to see a photo of Thomas & Margaret Bailey
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