Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BAYLESS, Cornelius
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) 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. (4) 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. (5)
---
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. "Prof. C. Bayless..."
5. 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