L. O. HAILEY, attorney at law. This wide-awake man of affairs, in addition to practicing his profession, is also the able editor of the Farm Record of Douglas County, Missouri, and is a prosperous real estate and exchange broker of Ava. He has a large list of improved lands for sale, and makes a specialty of the purchase and sale of timber tracts. He has under his control thousands of acres of fine farming land in Douglas County alone, the most of which is well improved with good farm buildings and has more or less land under cultivation. For those who wish to purchase home it would be to their interest to call on Mr. Hailey, for he is thoroughly posted on realty matters, is to be relied upon at all times, and it is his earnest desire to please those who patronize him. Although he is shrewd and far-seeing in the conduct of his affairs, and is keenly alive to his own interests. He is the soul of honesty in his transaction, is always anxious to give full return for value received, and as a result he has all the business that he can properly attend to.
He is a son of James Hailey, one of the early pioneers of this section, and was born here March 7, 1864. As he grew to manhood in this section he became thoroughly familiar with its resources, and realized that if properly advertised the region would become a very popular one to home seekers, and upon starting out in life for himself he turned his attention to this line of human endeavor. He had been fitted for a successful business life in the public schools of Ava and the Arno Academy, and when quite a young man he began to study law, and in October, 1892, was admitted to the bar of Missouri. He has practiced in all the courts of this section of the State, is a far-seeing and keen lawyer and should he give his entire time to his profession would have all the cases that he could properly attend to. In 1887 he established the Douglas County Democrat, which he successfully managed up to 1890, and in the fall of 1893 became one of the owners of the Farm Record, which is published in the interests of the Democrat party, and has a large circulation throughout the county. He has always interested himself in the political affairs of his section and has held the office of deputy sheriff and collector of the county, probate clerk, county and circuit clerk, and recorder, which speaks eloquently as to his popularity in his section. He is a favorite with his party and was elected a delegate to the National Convention held in St. Louis in 1888.
Miss Belle, the daughter of Dr. W. R. Harper, of Pope County, Illinois, became his wife, and to their union four children have been born: Effie, Bertha, Bessie and Elsie. He and his wife have a pleasant and comfortable home in Ava, and they have become well known for the generous hospitality which they extend to their friends. Mr. Hailey is a member of the A. F. & A. M., of which he has been master of his lodge, and in the I. O. O. F. has held the office of secretary. He has a convenient and well-appointed office near the post office and is prepared to devote himself to his patrons’ interests.