Bayless, Frank D. 1840-1920

BAYLESS, DRESSER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/27/2010 at 06:34:39

Frank D. Bayless was born at Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana, October 9, 1840, and died at Los Angeles, California, March 7, 1920. Burial was at Elkader, Iowa.

He came west by ox team with his mother and her family in 1853. In 1855 they located in Dodge County, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm. In 1856 he returned to Indiana and attended high school two years. In 1858 he again went to Minnesota and farmed, taught school and studied medicine.

In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Infantry and served until his health became impaired, when he was honorably discharged. Soon thereafter, however, he re-enlisted in the Third Minnesota Infantry, serving until September, 1865.

He then became a drug clerk and in 1866 removed to Elkader, Iowa, and entered the drug business on his own account. He was very successful and established several branch stores at neighboring towns.

He was enterprising, public-spirited and helpful to his community. He was a member of the local school board continuously for twenty-four years.

In 1883 he was elected to the state senate as a Democrat and was re-elected in 1887, serving in the Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies. During his service in the senate he became recognized as a legislator of ability, independence and good business judgment. In the Twenty-third General Assembly he was a member of the Ways and Means, Railways, Public Health and Printing committees and was chairman of the Military committee.

~Annals of Iowa, Vol XII, Notable Deaths, pg 477

~Note: wife was Harriet Dresser (1843-1932). They are buried in East Side cemetery, Elkader