Robert D. Bailey Sr.

Robert Darias Bailey Sr. (July 26, 1883 – October 24, 1961), better known as R. D. Bailey or "Judge Bailey," was a Democratic politician in West Virginia.

R. D. Bailey Sr.
Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party
In office
March 24, 1946 – January 31, 1948
Preceded byJoe L. Smith
Succeeded byJ. Howard Myers
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 9th district
In office
January 12, 1943 – December 1, 1944
Appointed byMatthew M. Neely
Preceded byWard Wylie
Succeeded byWard Wylie
Personal details
Born
Robert Darias Bailey

(1883-07-26)July 26, 1883
Baileysville, West Virginia
DiedOctober 24, 1961(1961-10-24) (aged 78)
Welch, West Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Sue Starkey
​
(m. 1911)​
Children2, including Robert Jr.
EducationValparaiso University (LLB)

Bailey was a lawyer who represented timber and railroad companies before he was elected judge, then a part-time position. He presided over the trials of the coal miners involved in the Battle of Matewan, the events of which are depicted in the movie Matewan. His diaries and notes formed the basis for the movie script.

He was appointed by Governor Matthew M. Neely to serve the remaining two years of Ward Wylie's term in the West Virginia Senate after Wylie resigned to enter military service in World War II. He later served for a time on the West Virginia Board of Education and as chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party.[1] In 1928 and 1948, he ran for governor but lost the primary election on both occasions. He died in 1961.[2]

R. D. Bailey Lake is named for him.

His son, Robert D. Bailey Jr., served as Secretary of State of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.

References
  1. Myers, J. Howard, ed. (1953). West Virginia Blue Book 1953 (PDF). Charleston: Jarrett Printing Company. p. 21. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  2. "Judge Bailey Dies In Welch Hospital; 78". The Raleigh Register. October 25, 1961. pp. 1–2. Retrieved May 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.


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