BAYLESS, Cornelius

Cornelius Bayless. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=pprokasy&id=I5543

BAYLESS, Cornelius. (Binghamton, NY, Aug. 18, 1839--Dubuque, IA, June 4, 1927). The son of General John Bayless, founder of the town of Highland northeast of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Highland University, Cornelius Bayless became a member of the Kansas state militia and on October 15, 1861 was mustered into the service of the Union. On the same day he enlisted as a musician in the regimental band of the 16th Illinois infantry located in St. Joseph, Missouri. He traveled with the regiment which captured New Madrid, Missouri on March 13, 1862 and Island No. 10 on April 8, 1862. He may have been involved in the battle of Shiloh. He was discharged on May 8, 1862 and moved to Dubuque in on June 16, 1862. He assisted in enlisted others into military service and joined Hyde Clark Post, Grand Army of the Republic upon its organization. He served the organization as chaplain and trustee until the time of his death. (1)

He entered Baylies Commercial College operated by his cousin, Aaron Baylies, the founder. A few months later, he became an assistant in that school and in 1863 became partner. When his cousin died in Boston a few months later on the August 2, 1863, Bayless became the sole manager of the institution. Cornelius renamed the school BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE in 1885. Founded in 1858 and incorporated in 1859, it was to become the oldest school of its kind in Iowa. Bayless also established commercial schools in Keokuk, Iowa and Freeport, Illinois. (2)

It was primarily through the actions of Bayless that the college developed its "first class" reputation ensuring the employment of its graduates. His expertise was demonstrated through such awards as three silver medals in 1879 from the State Board of Agriculture in Illinois for best plain penmanship, best course in bookkeeping, and best pen lettering. (3) In 1882 he returned to Dubuque with a "Remington Perfected Typewriter" and the rights associated with being its sole agent in the city. (4) He remained with the college until 1909 when he sold the school to Edwin B. LYONS. Even after he sold the school, Bayless retained an office at the college and continued to give attention to its educational department. (5) Bayless was also a major participant in the BELL GOLD MINING COMPANY, president of the DUBUQUE BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, and treasurer of the GERMAN THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF THE NORTHWEST. (6)

Upon his death the Dubuque Building and Loan Association issued the following Resolution of Condelence:

 Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God, on His 
          Infinite Wisdom, to callvfrom our 
          material midst our President, Cornelius 
          Bayless, the oldest Director and beloved 
          member of this Board of Directors, and
 Whereas, after faithfully serving this Association 
          in the capacity of Director, Officer and a 
          member of the various important committees 
          for a period of over forty-five years, we 
          should be forced to suffer this loss, 
          therefore, be it
 Resolved, that the Dubuque Building and Loan Association 
          has lost one of its most ardent workers and faithful 
          members, and be it further
 Resolved, that the Board of Directors of the Dubuque Building 
          and Loan Association hereby express its most sincere 
          sympathy to the bereaved loved ones of our departed 
          member and be it further
 Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the 
          minutes of the Association.

                Board of Directors
                Dubuque Building and Loan Association
                by: H. R. Harger, Secretary (signed) 

---

Source:

1. "Prof. C. Bayless Dies Saturday," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, June 5, 1927, p. 2

2. Ibid.

3. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, February 2, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790202&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, November 25, 1882, p. 4

5. "Prof. C. Bayless..."

6. Upper Main Street Historical District Nomination. Online: http://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink8/1/doc/38915/Page61.aspx, p. 30

Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880, p. 764

http://www.iowahistory.org/archives/holdings/death-certificates/assets/dubuque-county.pdf