On April 15, 1925, Ralph and Ethel Bailey moved to Isabel, into the
     house which was to be their home for the next 61 years. They had been
     married in the home of Ethel's parents, George H. and Lillie G. Atchison,
     in Pratt, September 20, 1924. Ralph;s parents were Henry and Caroline
     Bailey, who lived 5 miles east of Pratt.
          Ralph was the Standard Oil Agent in Isabel for 24 years. Ethel took
     delivery calls for Ralph on the home telephone when his business was first
     getting started, in addition to caring for their 3 children: Francis Dean
     of Wichita; June Ilene Tate, Westminster, Colorado, and Norma Jean Panning,
     Kimball, Nebraska. They also reared Ethel's sister Bertha Moore, Mulvand,
     from age 8.
          In 1951, Ralph gave up being the "Standard Oil Man" when he and Frank
     Wendell bought out the Larabee Elevator, which Ralph operated in addition
     to wheat farming in Pratt County until he retired in 1975.
          Ethel had a natural flair for grooming ladies' hair. For a number of
     years she trimmed, washed, set and did comb-outs for 10 cents. In later
     years she got 25-50 cents.
          Ralph is a charter member of the Gun Club, which is located in the 
     Coss pasture southeast of Isabel. The Clubhouse is the former Pleasant
     Valley School, which was purchased and moved from the Kumberg area.
          Ralph recieved the Order of the Buffalo for outstanding service to the
     Fish and Game Commission for instructing young people in Safe Gun training,
     which is required for a hunting license. This is a volunteer service, and
     Ralph has served 6 years throughout Barber County.
          Ralph and Ethel are both faithful to the Isabel United Methodist Church,
     Rebekah and IOOF Lodges. Ralph received a 50-year pin in 1977 and Ethel a 
     50-year jewel in 1978. Ralph was awarded a gold label emblem in honor of 50
     years in the Masonic Lodge, March 1979, in Pratt, Kansas.
          Ralph and Ethel renewed their marriage vows at the Isabel Methodist
     Church in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary September 20, 1984. 
     The late Rev. Paul Leslie officiated at the happy occasion.
             
     Source: Isabel, Kansas - The First 100 Years, 1887 - 1987,  pg. 38
     
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