Eben Howe Bailey was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on September 24, 1843, the son of Oliver (1794-1878) and Judith Howe (1798-1886) Bailey.

Bailey taught music in Clinton, Massachusetts, schools for five years and, from 1870-1880, he taught music in Fitchburg. He played organ in churches in Woodstock, Vermont, and Leominster and Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was an organist in Boston and Jamaica Plain, also at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rowley and St. Joseph's Church in Ipswich.

At the Peace Jubilee in Boston (1869 and 1872), he conducted one chorus the first year and two choruses the second year. He also conducted the first women's orchestra, known as the Chickering Orchestra Club, which later went on the Keith circuit.

He published between 400 and 500 compositions.

Bailey married his first wife, Amy Caroline Bailey (1845-1880) on May 24, 1866, and his second, Mary Emma Hunt, who died several years before him. He died in his 100th year on January 20, 1943, and was buried in Rowley Cemetery. He was survived by one son, Harry E. Bailey (1866-1947) of Brookline, Massachusetts, and a granddaughter, Mrs. John Pickering of Saugus.