J. D. Bailey was born May 2, 1862 in Union County, South Carolina.  He became a Baptist pastor and served pastorates in Spartanburg, Union, York, and Cherokee Counties.  Bailey was licensed for the ministry in September 1882, and ordained in August 1885 in Pacolet Church Number 2.  Bailey served as pastor of Unity, Upper Fair Forest, Fairview, Pacolet No. 1, Pacolet No. 2, and Abingdon Creek churches.  He also served twenty-one years as Moderator of the Broad River Baptist Association.  Bailey died on September 6, 1927 in Cowpens, South Carolina.

In addition to his ministerial duties, Bailey was the author of several historical pamphlets and books, including:

• A Sketch of the Life and Career of Col. James Williams: A Martyr-Hero of the Revolution. Cowpens, S.C.?: s.n, 1898.
• A Brief History of Antioch (South Carolina) Baptist Church: Prepared and Read on the Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary, July 31, August 1, 1915. Atlanta, Ga: Foote & Davies, 1915.
• History of Bethesda Church, Broad River Association. Cowpens, S.C., 1921.
• Some Heroes of the American Revolution: [in the South Carolina Upper Country]. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1924.
• Reverends Philip Mulkey and James Fowler : the story of the first Baptist church planted in upper South Carolina, 1924
• Commanders at Kings Mountain. Greenville, S.C.: A Press, 1926.
• History of Grindal Shoals and Some Early Adjacent Families. Greenville, S.C.: A Press, 1927.