The following is a biography of Casper Bailey, former Norwich First Selectman and Norwich Rotarian from A modern history of New London County, Connecticut; by Marshall, Benjamin Tinkham.
CASPER KIRKNER BAILEY, first selectman of Norwich, Connecticut, is a man of prominence in that city, and has always lived in New London county.
His father, Perry L. Bailey, was born in the town of North Stonington, Connecticut, and was reared and educated in Preston City, in the town of Preston, Connecticut. He has followed farming all his life, first in Preston, where he disposed of his place in 1885; he then bought a farm in Norwichtown, where he still lives, although retired from active work. He married Hattie L. Gifford, and they had two children: Casper Kirkner and Lilian. The daughter now resides with her father.
Mrs. Bailey died in 1892.
Casper Kirkner Bailey was born in Preston, Connecticut, September 23, 1874. He received his education in the public schools of Norwich, then shared the work of the farm with his father for a number of years. At length, deciding to go into business for himself, he took the line for which his work had best fitted him, and established a livery stable in Norwich, doing in connection with it a great deal of general contracting. He made the start in 1895, and from the beginning was very successful.
With the advent of the automobile, and its constantly increasing popularity, the livery business became less important, but the rapid growth of the city made the contracting branch of the business constantly develop and broaden out until it became of much the greater importance and a very profitable interest. In 1918 Mr. Bailey sold out the entire business, as other matters demanded his attention.
Always affiliated with the Republican party, Mr. Bailey has long been a loyal worker in support of its policies and principles, and in 1913 accepted nomination to the City Council and was elected for a term of two years. He was alderman in 1916 and 1917; and from 1915 to the present time he has been first selectman. This office he has filled with the greatest efficiency, and finding, during the earlier years of his service, that he could not do justice to it and continue his usual attention to his business interests he sold out his business, as above stated, in 1918, and has since given his entire time to the duties of his office.
Mr. Bailey is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norwich, No. 430; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Shetucket Lodge, No. 27; of the Knights of Pythias; of the Loyal Order of Moose, No. 950; of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Somerset Lodge, No. .34; Franklin Chapter, No. 3; Franklin Council, No. 4; and of the Arcanum Club, and the Rotary Club, of Norwich, Connecticut.
Mr. Bailey married Faith Monroe, daughter of Frank and Nettie (Larkin) Monroe, of Norwich, and they have one child, Casper K., Jr., born in Norwich. The family are members of the First Congregational Church of Norwich.