Born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana, October 9th, 1840. He came west with his mother, a younger brother and two younger sisters in 1853, with the trip being made by ox team. In 1855, he moved with the family to Dodge County, Minnesota, where he assisted on the farm until the fall of 1856 when he returned to Indiana and attended high school for two years. In 1858, he again went to Minnesota where he was occupied with farming, teaching school and study of medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War. Responding promptly to the call of his country he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantry. On February 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Harriett Dresser at Concord, Minnesota. He was discharged from the service September 21, 1865. During the winter of 1865-1866, Mr. Bayless was employed as a clerk in a drug store in Manterville, Minnesota, but his desire to start his own business caused him to buy the Drake drug store in Elkader and move with his family in May 1866. Mr. Bayless was always a man of constructive ideas and used his efforts and means for the permanent growth and improvement of the localities where he was interested, he built or purchased and improved many residents and store buildings. In 1897, he built Hotel Bayless in Elkader. He helped to finance and build the Congregational Church. He was one of the organizers of the Elkader State Bank, and financed and helped to start the Elkader Register in 1878. Always active for the welfare and advancement of the community he gave freely of his time and means to its interests. He was a member of our school board and the town council. Mr. Bayless was long intensely interested in political affairs wielding a large influence in local politics although not a seeker after political offices. He was, however, elected State Senator in 1883 and served in that position for eight years with honor to himself and the county. In fact his ability and sound common sense gained wide influence among his fellow members of the Iowa legislature.

Born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana, October 9th, 1840. He came west with his mother, a younger brother and two younger sisters in 1853, with the trip being made by ox team. In 1855, he moved with the family to Dodge County, Minnesota, where he assisted on the farm until the fall of 1856 when he returned to Indiana and attended high school for two years. In 1858, he again went to Minnesota where he was occupied with farming, teaching school and study of medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War. Responding promptly to the call of his country he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantry. On February 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Harriett Dresser at Concord, Minnesota. He was discharged from the service September 21, 1865. During the winter of 1865-1866, Mr. Bayless was employed as a clerk in a drug store in Manterville, Minnesota, but his desire to start his own business caused him to buy the Drake drug store in Elkader and move with his family in May 1866. Mr. Bayless was always a man of constructive ideas and used his efforts and means for the permanent growth and improvement of the localities where he was interested, he built or purchased and improved many residents and store buildings. In 1897, he built Hotel Bayless in Elkader. He helped to finance and build the Congregational Church. He was one of the organizers of the Elkader State Bank, and financed and helped to start the Elkader Register in 1878. Always active for the welfare and advancement of the community he gave freely of his time and means to its interests. He was a member of our school board and the town council. Mr. Bayless was long intensely interested in political affairs wielding a large influence in local politics although not a seeker after political offices. He was, however, elected State Senator in 1883 and served in that position for eight years with honor to himself and the county. In fact his ability and sound common sense gained wide influence among his fellow members of the Iowa legislature.

Born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana, October 9th, 1840. He came west with his mother, a younger brother and two younger sisters in 1853, with the trip being made by ox team. In 1855, he moved with the family to Dodge County, Minnesota, where he assisted on the farm until the fall of 1856 when he returned to Indiana and attended high school for two years. In 1858, he again went to Minnesota where he was occupied with farming, teaching school and study of medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War. Responding promptly to the call of his country he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantry. On February 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Harriett Dresser at Concord, Minnesota. He was discharged from the service September 21, 1865. During the winter of 1865-1866, Mr. Bayless was employed as a clerk in a drug store in Manterville, Minnesota, but his desire to start his own business caused him to buy the Drake drug store in Elkader and move with his family in May 1866. Mr. Bayless was always a man of constructive ideas and used his efforts and means for the permanent growth and improvement of the localities where he was interested, he built or purchased and improved many residents and store buildings. In 1897, he built Hotel Bayless in Elkader. He helped to finance and build the Congregational Church. He was one of the organizers of the Elkader State Bank, and financed and helped to start the Elkader Register in 1878. Always active for the welfare and advancement of the community he gave freely of his time and means to its interests. He was a member of our school board and the town council. Mr. Bayless was long intensely interested in political affairs wielding a large influence in local politics although not a seeker after political offices. He was, however, elected State Senator in 1883 and served in that position for eight years with honor to himself and the county. In fact his ability and sound common sense gained wide influence among his fellow members of the Iowa legislature.

Born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana, October 9th, 1840. He came west with his mother, a younger brother and two younger sisters in 1853, with the trip being made by ox team. In 1855, he moved with the family to Dodge County, Minnesota, where he assisted on the farm until the fall of 1856 when he returned to Indiana and attended high school for two years. In 1858, he again went to Minnesota where he was occupied with farming, teaching school and study of medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War. Responding promptly to the call of his country he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantry. On February 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Harriett Dresser at Concord, Minnesota. He was discharged from the service September 21, 1865. During the winter of 1865-1866, Mr. Bayless was employed as a clerk in a drug store in Manterville, Minnesota, but his desire to start his own business caused him to buy the Drake drug store in Elkader and move with his family in May 1866. Mr. Bayless was always a man of constructive ideas and used his efforts and means for the permanent growth and improvement of the localities where he was interested, he built or purchased and improved many residents and store buildings. In 1897, he built Hotel Bayless in Elkader. He helped to finance and build the Congregational Church. He was one of the organizers of the Elkader State Bank, and financed and helped to start the Elkader Register in 1878. Always active for the welfare and advancement of the community he gave freely of his time and means to its interests. He was a member of our school board and the town council. Mr. Bayless was long intensely interested in political affairs wielding a large influence in local politics although not a seeker after political offices. He was, however, elected State Senator in 1883 and served in that position for eight years with honor to himself and the county. In fact his ability and sound common sense gained wide influence among his fellow members of the Iowa legislature.