Guide to MS 34 Bayless Collection, 1833-1985 1900-1985 22 linear feet, 8.3 inches Prepared by Pamela A. Rector July 1999 Donations by Linda Bayless, President-Bayless Investment and Trading Co., Inc., 1991. Citation: Bayless Collection, 1833-1985, MS 34, Library and Archives, Central Arizona Division, Arizona Historical Society. Library and Archives Arizona Historical Society Central Arizona Division Arizona Historical Society at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: 480-387-5355, Email:
[email protected] 1997.161 MS 34 Bayless Collection 2 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE J.B. (John Brisbain) Bayless (1874-1951) was born in Cog Hill, Tennessee on December 11, 1874. He opened his first store in 1895 in Joshua, Tennessee, where he sold foodstuffs, drugs, hardware and feed. By 1902 he had married the former Lillie Mae (or May) Taylor who would work by his side for the next 50 years. In 1900, looking for opportunities, they moved west to Spokane, Washington, where J.B. opened his first all- grocery store. He felt other opportunities were available further south and in 1917 J.B., Lillie Mae, and their young son, who was born in Spokane, A.J. (Arthur Joseph) (1909- 1967) moved to Phoenix, Arizona. J.B. opened his first store in 1917, his second in 1919, and then sold both to establish the Bayless Baking Company in 1921 which he operated for three years. J.B. re-entered the grocery business in 1922 and in seven years had established an 18-store self-service chain. In 1929, shortly before the stock market crash, he sold his business.