Silas Eugene Bailey was born in Franklin Co., Missouri to William L. & Mary J. Caldwell Bailey.He married Sarah Elivera Victoria Helms on Christmas Eve 1893 at the home of her mother Sarah M. Helms of Spring Bluff, Missouri. Silas & Sarah remained in Spring Bluff, where he farmed and they had 13 children, 11 surviving to adulthood. Their children were: Arthur Lee, Nelson Eugene, John William, Myrtle Mae, Jess, Earl, Nellie Alice, Pearl Elizabeth, Meredith (Bud), Rosa Irene, Anvil George, Elvy Lucille, and Otis Omer. Silas & Sarah divorced in 1929.