Philip Sheridan Bailey

One of the five members of the first graduating class to receive diplomas in 1891, Mr. Bailey was also the valedictorian in addition to being a star pitcher on the baseball team. He received a B. S. degree from Rutgers University in 1895. It has been reported that he pursued a teaching career with the total conviction of its worth to the community. He taught in Toms River for many years before becoming a teaching principal at the Pershing School near Island Heights.

In later years Mr. Bailey served on the Board of Education and at one time was Justice of the Peace. Mr. Bailey was well known as a man of reason, with a reputation for being thoughtful and persuasive. On one occasion while he was on the Board of Education, the team sports schedule between Lakewood and Toms River was cancelled due to ill feelings. He was credited with persuading both sides to reconsider and resume the schedule.