Charles Smith Dailey was born In Oakwood, Wabasha County, Minn., on July 13, 1877, and his childhood days were spent in Grafton, N.D. At 18, his family moved to Malesus, Tenn., and two years following he came north and settled in Bemidji. In July 1910, he married Augusta Oestreich of Menomonie, Wis., and to this union two sons were born, namely William and Frederick.
Mr. Dailey spent his first years in Bemidji conducting an employment service for the lumber camps. In January 1907, he and J. F. Essler applied for a license to operate as the Bemidji Employment Service. In March 1912, Chas. S. Dailey and Thos. W. Swinson formed a partnership known as the Dailey and Swinson Company. Their purpose was to do a general real estate and insurance business operating principally in the northern part of the state with headquarters in Bemidji. They also continued the employment business in which Mr. Bailey has been interested for the previous nine years. Thomas Swinson was a civil engineer and surveyor and had been connected with the county surveyor’s office for some time. From about 1930 until his death in 1946, Charley Dailey and his wife Gussie owned and conducted the Bemidji Novelty company. This was later owned by their sons, Bill and Fred Dailey.
Mr. Dailey was elected a member of the Bemidji Fire department on July 24, 1906 and was fire chief for the 20 years and an officer in the Minnesota State Fireman’s Association for 14 years. He was extremely interested in all their activities and always attended the state conventions and took an active part. He was a staunch Democrat and kept in close touch with all their activities and in his quiet way worked with the organization and with the county chairman. His genial manner and kindly way won for him many friends in and around Bemidji. He was also a member of the Bemidji Elks lodge.