Finding aid for the Rae Bailey Papers


Title:
Rae Bailey Papers
Repository:
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives
Creator:
Bailey, Rae, 1879-1958
Dates:
1849-1957
Quantity:
1 cubic feet (1 box)
Abstract:
Author Rae Bailey (1879-1958) was born in Savannah, Ohio and she spent most of her life serving the community under a variety of different occupations. In addition to numerous poems and short stories, Bailey's most noted works are The Heritage of Agriculture: Historical Pageant Depicting the Past Achievements of Ashland County published in 1933 and Old Keys; An Historical Sketch of Clear Creek Township, Ashland County, Ohio, and of Savannah, published in 1941. Materials relate to Bailey's interest in the history of Savannah and Clear Creek Township both located in Ashland County, Ohio. Also included are genealogical papers spanning the author's ancestors (John R. Bailey Family), and the historical pageant, various poems, and short stories written by Bailey.
Identification:
99/104
Location:
Polsky Building, LL10, The University of Akron
Language:
The records are in English

Biography of Rae Bailey

Rae Bailey was born on July 24, 1879 in Savannah, Ashland County, Ohio and was the only daughter of Thomas Wesley and Amelia Ann Bailey. As an alternative to finishing high school at the Savannah Academy, Bailey accepted an offer to teach at various primary schools within the vicinity of Savannah. In the fall of 1902, Bailey entered Oberlin Business College in Oberlin, Ohio to further her education. The following year she was employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper for the Elyria Hardware Company until 1905, and then was hired into the Cleveland law firm of Griswald, White, and Hadden. In 1915, Bailey accepted the position of personal stenographer to Senator Atlee Pomerene, where she remained until 1917. The next year brought Bailey back to school, obtaining her high school diploma and entering the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Iowa, and graduating with the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. She chose to return to her original residence in Savannah to open an office and practice chiropractic until 1934.

During the 1920s, Bailey served for several years in her hometown as Clear Creek Township Democratic Committee Woman, President of the Board of Education of the Savannah Clear Creek Consolidated Schools, member of the Woman's Democratic Executive Committee of Ashland County, and Secretary of the Savannah Civic Improvement Club. In 1935, Bailey relocated to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Office Secretary for the Council of Church Boards of Education until 1947, during which time she also served as Office Secretary for the National Conference of Church Related Colleges and was Assistant Editor of the Journal Christian Education. Bailey died in 1960.

Bailey's numerous publications included The Heritage of Agriculture, a historical pageant presented with a cast of approximately four hundred, at Ashland County and Loudonville Street Fairs in the fall of 1933. This pageant was later published in pamphlet form. One of her poems was published in the Ashland Times Gazette in 1933, while a short story merited publication in the New London Tips. In 1948, a poem written by Bailey in dedication to graduates of the Oberlin Business College appeared in The Poet. Bailey's most significant writing was her book, Old Keys; an Historical Sketch of Clear Creek Township, Ashland County, Ohio, and of Savannah published in 1941.

Scope and Content

The Rae Bailey Papers consists of materials relating the author's interest in the history of Savannah and Clear Creek Township, Ashland County, Ohio, from the town's early settlements to approximately 1941. Also included in the collection are genealogical papers spanning the author's ancestors, and the historical pageant, various poems, and short stories written by Bailey.

This collection would be of value to a researcher interested in Ashland County history, particularly Savannah, Clear Creek Township, and the Bailey family.

The Rae Bailey Papers consists of three series: I. The John R Bailey Family/Descendants. II. Ashland County: Savannah, Clear Creek Township; and III. Publications.

The John R Bailey Family/Descendants (Series I) includes genealogical information on Rae Bailey's family history dating back from approximately 1849 to the time of her death circa 1960. Included here are farmland property deeds, newspaper articles, and photographs.

Ashland County and Clear Creek Township (Series II) consists of material related to the settlement and educational institutions at Savannah and Clear Creek Township, particularly the development and organization of public schools and the Savannah Male and Female Academy. Series III is made up of the publications and other writings of Rae Bailey, including poems, personal memoirs, and the Heritage of Agriculture; in addition to newspaper clippings, correspondence, and other articles related to her publications, specifically Old Keys.

Statement of Arrangement

The papers are arranged in the following series: Series I: John R Bailey Family/Descendants, Series II: Ashland County: Savannah, Clear Creek township, Series III: Publications

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron

Restrictions on Access

No restrictions on access; except not available through interlibrary loan.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Persons:

Bailey, Rae, 1879-1958

Family Names:

Bailey family

Places:

Clear Creek (Ashland County, Ohio : Township) -- History
Savannah (Ohio) -- History

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Rae Bailey Papers, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.

Acquisition Information

Donated to Archival Services, July 1983.

Detailed Description of The Collection



Series I: John R. Bailey Family/Descendants, 1849-1956

Box 1 / Folder 1
Bailey Farmlands, 1849-1956




Box 1 / Folder 2
Bailey Family, 1870-1940




Box 1 / Folder 3
Newspaper Articles, 1907-1954




Box 1 / Folder 4
Photographs - Bailey Family, 1912-1921 and several undated




Box 1 / Folder 5
Photographs - Rae Bailey, 1920-1947 and several undated





Series II: Ashland County: Savannah, Clear Creek Township, 1852-1957

Box 1 / Folder 6
Historical correspondence/Newspaper clippings, 1916-1954




Box 1 / Folder 7
Savannah and Clear Creek Public Schools, 1895-1957




Box 1 / Folder 8
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Deeds of Property, 1852-1886




Box 1 / Folder 9
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Articles of Incorporation and Succeeding Legal Papers, 1870-1885




Box 1 / Folder 10
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Register, 1886-1902




Box 1 / Folder 11
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Faculty/Personnel, 1872-1932




Box 1 / Folder 12
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Literary Societies, 1874-1956




Box 1 / Folder 13
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Ladies Hall, Miscellaneous papers, 1880-1868




Box 1 / Folder 14
Savannah Male and Female Academy - Commencement and Anniversary Programs, 1861-1909





Series III: Publications, 1890-1957

Box 1 / Folder 15
Items of Personal Interest - Rae Bailey, 1890-1957




Box 1 / Folder 16
The Heritage of Agriculture - Historical Pageant, 1933-1934




Box 1 / Folder 17
The Heritage of Agriculture - Working Manuscript, 1928-1941




Box 1 / Folder 18
Newspaper Clippings - Ashland and Loudonville County Fairs, 1933




Box 1 / Folder 19
Old Keys - Correspondence, Articles, 1928-1945