Bailey Family.  Letters, 1855-1889 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents: The Bailey collection contains 52 letters written to Josiah Bailey in Maine by various members of his family in Illinois. The majority of the letters are from Isaac Bailey, Josiah's brother.  Isaac Bailey spent a large portion of his life working with the Illinois railroad companies. In the letters he describes his work on the railroad, the crops he encounters in his travels, a speech by Stephen Douglas, his general health, and the well-being of his family. He says little about the Civil War and most of the letters are from the post-war years.