Laura Ann Bailey married Wilson Marcellus Dent

Photographer 

J. H. Callender, 

Photographer and Dentist,

No. --

West Side Public Square

Ripon, Wis

All work warranted 

----

Written in pen:

Laura A. Bailey

Ripon, Wis., 

Aug 

Sept 13 1865

Laura’s parents, Aaron Bailey and Maria Hubbard were married in 1836 in Putnam County, Indiana and settled first in Independent Grove, Cook County, Illinois.  In 1851, when Laura was 4 years old the family moved to Adams Co., Wisconsin and later to Green Lake Prairie in Green Lake County, Wisconsin.

Two of Laura's brothers served during the Civil War.
The children of Aaron Bailey and Maria Hubbard were …

1. Died in infancy
2. Died in infancy
3. John Wesley Bailey born Feb. 15, 1840 at Independent Grove, IL; married Mary Josephine Currier Nov. 8, 1862; died April 17, 1930; 4 children 
4. Andrew Clinton Bailey born May 2, 1842; served in Civil War; married Sept. 3, 1865 Ellen “Nellie” Brown;  On May 29, 1906, he was on his way to visit his son in Santa Cruz and died on the train as it left Oakland, CA. He was 65. 
5. Aaron Francis Bailey born June 28, 1844 at Hanover, IL; was a resident of Green Lake, Wisconsin and enlisted while a student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He was mustered into Co. E, 40th Reg. Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry as a Private on May 13, 1864.  He died of typhoid fever in the Overton Hospital, Memphis Tennessee on Aug. 8, 1864, age 20 yrs. 1 mo., and 11 days and is buried at the Hillside Cemetery, Ripon, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
6. Laura Ann Bailey (pictured above) born Nov. 17, 1846; married Wilson Dent Nov. 12, 1865; died Feb. 14, 1931; 9 children
7. William Harrison Bailey  born 1849; died Sitka, Alaska Pioneer’s Home in 1936 

Laura Bailey was 18 when she posed for this photograph, taken in September, 1865, shortly before her marriage to Wilson Marcellus Dent on November 12, 1865, at Ripon, Wisconsin.

Wilson, the son of Joseph H. Dent and Elizabeth Emerson, was born April 5, 1845, at Oak Grove, Dodge Co., Wisconsin.  He enlisted at age 17 and was mustered in as a private on Nov. 25, 1862 at Madison,, Wisconsin.  He served 2 yrs., 11 mos. with Company I, 31st Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and mustered out and was honorably discharged at Louisville, KY on July 8, 1865.  Four months later, at age 20, he married Laura Bailey.

The children of Laura and Wilson Dent were …

1. Maria Bailey Dent born April 5, 1867 at Green lake Co., Wisconsin; married (1) Wm. Lloyd /1 child married (2) Ira V. Strong / 2 children; died Oct. 18, 1924 after an appendicitis operation.   
2. Ellen Elizabeth “Ella” Dent born Mar. 7, 1869 at Green Lake Co., Wisconsin; married Frank Bailey of Canton, Lincoln County, South Dakota on Mar. 6, 1887; died Dec. 2, 1904 at Medicine Creek, South Dakota, age 35; 5 children.  
3. William Harrison Dent born June 17, 1871 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; married (1)Anna Mae Young on Nov. 1, 1898, married (2) Mrs. Bina Sloatman on Aug. 16, 1923; died Mar. 31, 1939 at Brule, South Dakota; age 67
4. Frank Wilson Dent born Jan. 22, 1874 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; married Sadie (Engebretsen) Johnson; died June 14, 1903 at age 29; 2 children. 
5. Jennette Emeline Dent born May 23, 1877 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; married Constantine Morgan; died May 4, 1950 at Turner, South Dakota; age 72; 4 children
6. Harriet “Hattie” Emily Dent born Aug. 13, 1880 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; married Lee Henegar June 24, 1897 in Benton, Lafayette, Wisconsin; died June 2, 1951; age 70; 2 children
7. Albert Eugene Dent born Nov. 19, 1883 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; married Gertrude M. Richie; died 1951; age 67; Occupations: bank book keeper (1910) / express cashier (1920); 1 child
8. Andrew Clinton Dent born Aug. 18, 1885 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory; died Aug. 19, 1885. 
9. Minnie Belle Dent born June 19, 1888 at Canton, Lincoln Co., Dakota Territory;  Sept 24, 1912 married Ernest Boudrou; died Nov. 10, 1959; age 71; 4 children 

Laura and Wilson’s first two children were born in Wisconsin in April, 1867 and March, 1869.  In December, 1869 Laura’s mother Maria (51) died.  A few months later in June, 1870 Laura, Wilson and their daughters appear in the 1870 census in Ripon, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin living in the household of Simon Burlingame, a well to do farmer.

In February, 1871 Laura’s father, Aaron Bailey married for a 2nd time to Mrs. Sarah Ellwood and by June of 1871 Wilson and Laura had traveled west to a homestead in Lincoln County, near Canton, South Dakota where their 3rd child, William Harrison Dent was born on June 17. 1871.  

The population of Lincoln county in 1870 was 712.  The average influx of settlers during the 1870s, was about 500 per year.  The Dents would have been among the early settlers and until the railroad arrived in 1879 their only means of transportation to and from Lincoln County would have been by ox or horse drawn wagon.

Their first years in South Dakota were difficult ones.  The Dent family farmed and would have been affected in the mid 1870's when grasshoppers damaged or completely ruined crops throughout the county for five years in a row.  The devastation wrought by the grasshoppers was the cause of a reverse migration when many of the settlers were forced to give up, but the Dent family remained and 7 more children were born to Laura and Wilson in Canton, Lincoln Co. in the years from 1871 - 1888.

In 1890 Wilson Dent was appointed Boss Foreman for the United States Indian Service at Lower Brule Indian School.

A letter in the annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs offers a glimpse into what qualities were considered preferable when hiring teachers in isolated Indian camps, since it was not considered a suitable place for a single person of either sex;  not ladies who were “dependent” nor single young men who were not “adapted to be in charge of a mixed school of boys and girls when many are advanced in years.”

The preference was in hiring married couples who were able to attend to the requirements of both sexes while at the same time modeling Christian family life.

The letter writer further suggests that while anyone hired should be selected first and foremost for their educational qualifications; in addition those qualifications should be combined with a self sacrificing nature, tact in teaching, civilizing and training, and the modeling of a Christian example.  He also recommends those selected and secured should receive compensation commensurate with their worth since “it is not expected those so qualified will accept positions in isolated Indian camps, deprived of every social intercourse with civilization, at the same or less remuneration than where all the enjoyments of home comforts, society, and entertainment are obtainable.”

“ … isolated Indian camps; deprived of every social intercourse with civilization … “  It is difficult to imagine the same young woman who attended Ripon College, sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class, raising 9 children in such a primitive environment, yet she did just that.

And while married couples may have been the School's preference, the Dent’s eldest (and unmarried) son, William was employed at the Lower Brule boarding school as an Industrial Teacher for 2 years in 1891 and 1892; from there William went on to Medicine Creek, where he engaged in ranching, accumulating a large herd of cattle for a 700 acre ranch known as the Dent Ranch.

In 1892 the region was opened to early settlers for homesteads.  Settlements were along Medicine Creek and settlers were “Ribney’s, Wilson, Dent, Gilman, Byre, Rearick, Seaman, Molash, Hollenbeack, Tieson, Lien, O’Malley, Halversgaard, Hagenson, Selland, Hellickson, Pitans, Zoske, and Zickrick.”

It was in 1892 Wilson and Laura moved from Canton to Chamberlain, where they would live for the rest of their lives. .

On May 7, 1894  Laura’s step-mother, Sarah Jenette Ellwood Bailey died at St. Marie, Wisconsin.  Three years later, in the spring of 1897, Laura’s father, Aaron Bailey took ill and Laura traveled to Wisconsin to care for him.  Her father's health appeared to improve under her care; in June he sold his farm, disposed of his personal effects, and left with his daughter for her home in South Dakota.

Aaron Bailey did not reside long in South Dakota.  He died on Aug. 4, 1897,  age 82 years, 6 months and 9 days.

-- Princeton Wisconsin Republic, August 1897

“The news of the death of Aaron Bailey somewhat startled the community the latter part of last week.  He was well known, having been a resident of this county for forty years or more, and for nearly or quite twenty years has been a resident of the town of St. Marie, within a mile of that village. In the spring and early summer of this season he was very sick for many weeks, but finally under the care of a daughter, who came here from her home in South Dakota to care for him, he improved in strength. Early in June he sold his farm, and on the 23rd of June disposed of his personal effects and in a few days started with his daughter to her Dakota home. We learn that his death was sudden and unexpected. In the morning and forenoon he complained of a pain in his breast, but he became easier in the afternoon. Toward evening he stepped into his room and in a short time was found sitting upon his bed unconscious. A physician was summoned, but upon reaching him death had closed the life of Mr. Bailey.  He was 82 years of age.  His body arrived in Ripon and was interred last Saturday with members of his family who had gone before.  He leaves three sons and a daughter — Wm. H. of Washington, John of Ripon, Andrew C. of Colorado, and a daughter, Laura A. Dent of Chamberlain, S.D. where Mr. Bailey died August 4, 1897.

Mr. Bailey was a man of strong impulses and earnest resolution, and never held a grudge, but was as forgiving as a child.  His friendship in the high order of brotherhood and in the church was very highly prized. His home was always the home of the itinerant minister for nearly sixty years.  His generation has nearly all proceeded him to the other glorified shore.  But there were many of the present who rise to speak well of him.”

The inscription on his stone reads:  

CAVALRYMAN BLACK 

HAWK WAR 1832

WOUNDED BY TOMAHAWK 

THROWN BY INDIAN

Curious about the inscription I found …
“When sixteen, he enlisted in the Cavalry service during the Black Hawk War and remained until the close of the war, which occurred in 1832. He was aid to Col. Thompson of his regiment and received six wounds in the service and was honorably discharged.”

Wilson and Laura are shown on the census for Chamberlain, Brule, South Dakota in 1900 and 1910.
She was interested in the work of the Women's Relief Corps in Chamberlain and was elected President in 1905, she was also a member of the Eastern Star in Chamberlain for many years.

On Nov. 12, 1915 Laura & Wilson Dent celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

On Oct. 2, 1922 Wilson Marcellus Dent aged 77 years and 7 months died of heart failure and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in South Dakota.

In 1925 Laura was still living on the farm she owned.  The 1930 census shows her living with daughter Harriet Heneger and family.

Laura Ann (Bailey) Dent, 1846 - 1931, lover of music and art, whose paintings were "of a high order," died Feb. 14, 1931 and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Chamberlain, Brule Co., South Dakota.  She was 84.


Sources:

Sandra Boudrou

Photos From the Past - Wilson M. Dent and Laura Bailey 1865

Wilson Dent (ancestry.com)

Wilson and Laura Bailey Dent  (rootsweb)

Joseph H. Dent Family - by Sandra Boudrou

Aaron Bailey’s Family - by Sandra Boudrou

William H. Dent b. Canton, SD 1871 (genforum)

William H. Dent obituary

Charles Henry and Rebecca (Richmond) Bice

McGibbon Register Report Nov 2005

The History of Lincoln County (rootsweb)

Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1884
Letter regarding employees of Lower Brule school

The Executive Documents of the House of Representatives for the First Session of the Fifty - Second Congress 1891 - 1892; Congressional edition, Volume 2934