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Title
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Victoria Elizabeth Cunningham Bailey
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Description
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Victoria Bailey was the wife of W.C. Bailey, the first intendant (mayor) of Greer. After his death she became a savvy businesswoman and real estate investor. Victoria Street in Greer is named for her.
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birthday
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March 18, 1842
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Birthplace
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South Carolina
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Death Date
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March 27, 1896
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Occupation
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Housewife; teacher; business woman
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Biographical Text
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Victoria Cunningham was the daughter of William Cunningham and Mary “Polly” Montgomery Cunningham. She was the youngest of 5 siblings: Maj. John William Cunningham, 1804–1879; Benjamin Franklin Cunningham, 1831–1853; Nancy Margaret Cunningham, 1835–1916; and Michael M. Cunningham, 1836–1862.
She became the second wife of William Clark Bailey, a school teacher and retailer; they were married September 19, 1865.
Victoria and William Bailey had five children: Henrietta “Etta” Bailey, October 9, 1866 – November 9, 1944, who married W. W. Burgiss; M. Estelle Bailey, July 2, 1869-1876, who died in a fire at age 6; Edgar W. Bailey, 1872-?, who worked at Cannon Mills in Charlotte, NC; his twin Edwin “E.C.” Bailey, 1872-1944, who became president of Greer Bank & Trust; Fannie B. Bailey Smith, 1875-?, who married Thomas Edward “T.E.” Smith; and Victoria E. “Bettie” Bailey Watson, 1878-1940, who married William Norman Watson.
In the Greenville News May 7, 1996, descendant Jean Bailey said she was known as “Miss Vic,” and she was a “brilliant woman” and “fabulous businesswoman.”