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Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ Albert Bayless ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Albert Bayless
LAST NAME: Bayless FIRST NAME: Albert MIDDLE NAME:  NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE:  GENDER: M MILITARY: 
BORN: 15 Aug 1819 DIED: 18 Apr 1907 BURIED: 20 Apr 1907
ETHNICITY:  African American OCCUPATION:  Blacksmith
BIRTH PLACE:  Tennessee
DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
1880 OR CENSUS -  A. Bayless, male, age 59, b. Virginia, is enumerated with  Mary Bayless, age 55, b. Kentucky, along with Geo. Drake, identified as nephew [of A.], age 14, b. Oregon, and Jas. Drake, identifed as nephew [of A.], age 13, b. Oregon. Also enumerated with the family is a boarder Jack Grubbs, age 22, occupation blacksmith, b. Oregon.

BIOGRAPHICAL: 
"The only other neighbor I recollect was Mr. Bayless, the colored blacksmith, who worked at the shop just beside us on the corner. He was such a kindly old man, with his kinky locks, fast turning gray, and somewhere hidden about that old shop were sticks of red striped candy to give to the children who stopped to talk with him on their way from school. This little old colored man, with his good wife, so many shades darker than he and of ponderous build, will be remembered by all early Salem folk for their good deeds and Christian lives. In their hospitable home a white boy was raised to manhood. On Sunday morning they were welcomed to their particular corner, up near the pulpit and at the southwest side of the auditorium of the first M. E. church, of which they were acceptable members." 
From: Steeves, Sarah Hunt, BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE OF MARION COUNTY, OREGON, PIONEERS 1840 - 1860, Portland, Oregon, The Berncliff Press, 1927, pg. 316.


NOTE - Salem Pioneer Cemetery Black Pioneer Omnibus dedicated by the Oregon Northwest Pioneers on 1 Feb 2007.
DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
OSBH DC (Marion Co., 1907) #3432 - Albert Bayless, male, married, b. Tenn., d. 18 Apr 1907 in Salem, Oregon (1891 Fourth St.), at the age of 84, interment 20 Apr 1907 IOOF, undertaker A. M. Clough.
OBITUARY: 
"Father" Albert Bayless, the aged colored man who for forty years has made his home in Salem, passed away suddenly last evening at 6 o’clock. For the past ten years he has been blind and almost helpless, being a sufferer from an affliction of a cancerous nature. His death, however, was unexpected, as he had seemed in his usual health during the day, and had even hobbled out of doors. While in the yard, however, he struck one of his severely afflicted feet upon some hard object which caused him much pain, and he also contracted a severe cold which seemed to cause a congested condition of his lungs and bronchial tubes, which resulted in his death a few hours later. 
His life history reads like a romance. He was born in slavery in Tennessee on August 15, 1819, but for four months less than eighty seven years ago. Fortunately for him then, he had a kind master with whom he lived thirty years, but with the death of his master, he, like, "Uncle Tom", famed in the immortal book of slavery days by Harriet Beecher Stowe, was sold to a master who treated him so cruelly that he planned a successful escape to California during the great mining excitement. Later he removed to Salem, where he married the faithful wife who has cared for him during all his latter years of helplessness. 
For many years, he conducted a blacksmith shop in this city. Until disease and advancing years impaired his faculties he was an active worker in the Methodist church and up to the hour of his death retained his beautiful faith that has helped him to so patiently bear his affliction. Every year, upon the anniversary of his birth, his house has been the scene of merry makings, when old friends and new have contributed to his larder in a very substantial way. His wife is the only known relative he leaves. No arrangements for the funeral have been made as yet. 
Daily Oregon Statesman 19 Apr 1907 2:3-4
INSCRIPTION: 

[marker dedicated May 2002 by FOPC and SCV]
FRONT:
Bayless
Albert
August 15, 1819
April 18, 1907
Emancipated Slaves
[shared marker with Mary Ann]
BACK:
Albert Bayles was born into slavery in Tennessee. He had a kind master with whom he lived for 30 years. Upon his master’s death, he was sold to an owner who mistreated him. Albert escaped to the California gold fields, then to Salem, where he conducted a successful blacksmith business. A member of the Methodist church, Albert retained his faith until death. In death he left behind his faithful wife, Mary Ann, his only known surviving relative.


Albert Bayles was born into slavery in Tennessee. He had a kind master with whom he lived for 30 years. Upon his master’s death, he was sold to an owner who mistreated him. Albert escaped to the California gold fields, then to Salem, where he conducted a successful blacksmith business. A member of the Methodist church, Albert retained his faith until death. In death he left behind his faithful wife, Mary Ann, his only known surviving relative.
In additon, his name is engraved on the Salem Pioneer Cemetery Black Pioneer Omnibus dedicated by the Oregon Northwest Pioneers on 1 Feb 2007.

SOURCES: 
LR 
OSBH DC (Marion Co., 1907) #3432
Saucy Survey & Photographs
1880 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., E. Salem, ED 80, pg 37C) 
1889-1890 R.L. Polk & Co's Salem Directory 
Steeves, BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE, pg. 316. 
DOS 19 Apr 1907 2:3-4
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 369 SPACE: 1 NE LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE: 
IMAGES:
           
 
 

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