Franklin D. Bayless
was born February 2, 1839, on Brush Creek, at a time when the thermometer stood fifteen degrees below zero. He was thus early thrown upon the cold world, but this fact has never seemed to have had a bad influence on his subsequent life. His parents were Elza Bayless and Jane W. DeCamp, and from his mother, he received his second name. He received his education principally in the West Union schools. In 1858 and 1859, he taught school and in 1860 and 1861, he was a student. In the latter year he was in school, and just prior to Major McFerran's departure with the 70th O. V. I., he enrolled him self as a law student under him.
On July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 91st O. V. I. He was appointed sergeant on the 22d of August, 1862. On July 20, 1864, he was severely wounded at an engagement at Stephenson's Depot; being shot in both thighs. He was appointed first sergeant, December 1, 1864, and was mustered out June 24, 1865. When he returned from the war, he resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Portsmouth, Ohio, April 23, 1866. The same fall, he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket to represent Adams County in the Legislature, but was defeated by Captain W. D. Burbage, now of Washington, D. C., by a majority of twenty votes.
In 1869, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Adams County on the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected in 1871. In 1873, he was again a candidate for the legislature on the Democratic ticket and was defeated by Richard Ramsey, Republican.
In 1881, he was a candidate for common pleas judge in the counties of Adams, Brown and Clermont, on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by Col. D. W. C. Loudon, of Brown County, by 41 votes. He received the remarkable majority of over 600 votes in his own county, but was defeated by his own party votes in the other two counties, owing to the personal popularity of Col. Loudon, and the activity of the latter's friends.
He has been twice married, first to Helen M. Young, on November 22, 1869. She died September 9, 1884. He entered into a second marriage with Nora White Young, on October 8, 1885. Mr. Bayless has three daughters, two of his first marriage and one of his second marriage. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in his religious views, he is a Presbyterian. He is one of the ablest lawyers who ever practiced at the West Union bar.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900