Deroos Bailey. The legal fraternity of Muskogee has an able representative and exponent in the person of DeRoos Bailey, whose connection with numerous important cases has won him something more than local reputation. A thorough and profound lawyer, close and careful student, and strict adherent to the highest ethics of his calling, he has won, in the fullest measure, the confidence of those whose legal business he has transacted, and the respect of his fellow-members in the profession. Mr. Bailey is a native son of Arkansas, born in Carroll County, May 27, 1857, his parents being William Wilson and Harriet (Wasson) Bailey.

The first representative of the Bailey family in America came from England and settled in Virginia, and members of the family subsequently migrated to North Carolina and thence to Tennessee, where William Wilson Bailey was born. He received a good education, taught school in both Arkansas and Oklahoma, and was well known as an educator at Webbers Falls and Grand Saline in the latter state. While in Arkansas he was a member of the convention that adopted the present state constitution, and also was a resident of that state when he enlisted under the flag of the Confederacy for service during the war between the North and the South, in which his valiant services won him promotion from the ranks to captain of his company. he was married in Arkansas and settled on a farm in Boone County, subsequently becoming sheriff, a position which he held for two successive terms. He died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Bailey, also a native of Tennessee, and of Scotch-Irish descent, was taken to Arkansas by her parents when a child. She died when past sixty years of age, and bore her husband two children: Josephine, who is now deceased; and DeRoos, of this review.

DeRoos Bailey was reared on his father’s farm in Boone County, Arkansas, and at the age of sixteen years entered Bellefonte (Arkansas) Academy, where he pursued his studies for four years. He then became a school teacher, and while thus engaged privately studied law. He was twenty-four years of age when admitted to the bar, and first “hung out his shingle” at Harrison, Arkansas, but soon thereafter removed to Yellville. in the same state and while there was twice elected first district attorney of the Fourteenth Judicial District, composed of seven counties. Before the expiration of his second term, Mr. Bailey again became a resident of Harrison, but liter removed to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained one year. It was from that city that he first came to Muskogee, in 1897, but after a brief residence in this city, and at Wagoner, Oklahoma,

returned to Harrison, Arkansas, and there was almost immediately nominated for the office of district attorney. He declined this nomination, and in 1900 returned to Muskogee where he has since resided and been in the general practice of law, with gratifying success. When the time came for drafting the present city charter, Mr. Bailey’s fellow-citizens honored him by choosing him as one of the committee of eight chosen for that important duty. Aside from this public service, he has held no position of a public nature since becoming a resident of Muskogee. In political matters he is a stanch democrat, but has not sought political honors, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to the duties of his constantly increasing practice. . Mr. Bailey has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Lyllian McDowell, who is now deceased, being survived by one daughter, Lyllian. Mr. Bailey was married the second time to Miss Bernadine Atkins, and they have two children: Esther and Paul.