George F. Bailey, born in Maryland and trained as a carpenter, came to West Liberty around 1872 after purchasing a two-story brick house there in 1865 and expanding his property in 1867 with the south sections of lots 16 and 17. He set up a shop making barrels, served in Company G, 132nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and later practiced law while holding public offices that included mayor, justice of the peace, township trustee, and member of the city council. He was influential in organizing and rebuilding businesses destroyed in the fire of 1880. His diaries provide a vivid and detailed vision of life in West Liberty. In 1870, his household included George, age 43, his wife Ann Marie, age 31, his daughter Oleeta, age 13, his sons Don, age 12, and Van, age 2, and a 21-year-old female servant.