Caledonia County

BAILEY, Alden Lee

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part II, p 11 
(portrait p 11)

Alden Lee BAILEY, of St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, Vermont], was born 31 
May 1845 in Compton, Province of Quebec, Canada, the only child of Lewis and 
Nancy BAILEY. He was early bereft of both parents, his father dying before 
he reached his fourth year, and his mother when he was only ten years of age. 
Alone in the world, he was "bound out" during the remaining years of his 
minority to his uncle, a farmer, whom he faithfully served until he reached 
his majority. Greater opportunities, with less of hope and resolution might 
have disheartened him. He had nothing to lose, but everything to win, and he 
was determined to succeed. This spirit found him ready employment, and also 
opened the way for him to enter into the business in which his success has 
proved his fitness. From very small beginnings he has built up the largest 
trade in musical merchandise in Northern New England. Two well equipped 
warerooms, one in St. Johnsbury, the other in Burlington, with twenty 
traveling salesmen, attest the fact. He has been a director in Citizens Bank 
from its organization, his business tact and good judgment doing much toward 
giving it its present good reputation.

These qualities have also done much toward removing the debt and placing on a 
god financial basis the Young Men's Christian Association, of which for 
several years he has been a director. In early life he connected himself 
with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has always been a generous 
supporter, and to it he has given his best service as one of its stewards, 
and also for many years as its successful Sunday school superintendent. He 
is possessed in an eminent degree of the quality rudely termed "push," giving 
an enthusiasm to whatever he undertakes, which insures success. He is a 
sunny man with a cheerful word for all, and ever ready to dispense 
substantial aid as well as wise counsel whenever and wherever needed.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly