Descendants of Samuel "Captain" Bliss

Descendants of Captain Samuel Bliss, Sr.

GENERAL NOTE: The following names were removed from the list of preceding generations: NATHANIEL⁶, SAMUEL⁵, JONATHAN⁴, THOMAS³, JONATHAN² BLYSSE, THOMAS¹. This is due to controversy and variations in information about those generations by different researchers and publications.

NOTE: The below HTML series of pages has a lot of material. However, this PDF contains more recent updates, more information, and several pictures. Its size is about 4 MB with 174 physical pages.

Go to Generation 1 2 3 4 5a 5b

Generation No. 3

4. HARVEY CARPENTER⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 1-10-1794 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY, and died 5-14-1874 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY. He married BETSEY PLOSS 12-25-1817. She was born 1792, and died 3-3-1875 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY.

Notes for HARVEY CARPENTER BLISS:

From: http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/blight-block.html

"Bliss, Harvey Carpenter (1791-1874) — of Gilboa, Schoharie County, N.Y. Born January 10, 1791. Son of Samuel Bliss and Anna (Mason) Bliss; married, December 25, 1817, to Betsey Ploss (1792-1875); second cousin of Albert Bliss; great-grandfather of Francis Walter Bliss. Member of New York state assembly from Schoharie County, 1839. Died in Gilboa, Schoharie County, N.Y., May 14, 1874. Interment at Flat Creek Cemetery, Gilboa, N.Y."

Child of HARVEY BLISS and BETSEY PLOSS is:

10. i. Franklin Winslow¹⁰ Bliss.

5. ANNA⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 5-19-1797 in Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., MA, and died 2-28-1862 in LaGrange, Cass Co., MI. She married ADOLPHUS CROWELL 12-28-1817 in Broome, Schohaire Co., NY. He was born 2-1-1797 in Hardwick, Worcester Co., MA, and died 1-21-1875 in Clyde, Wayne Co., NY.

Notes for ANNA BLISS:

Anna is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen, Wayne County, NY.

Notes for ADOLPHUS CROWELL:

Adolphus is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen, Wayne County, NY.

Children of ANNA BLISS and ADOLPHUS CROWELL are:

i. Adolphus B.¹⁰ Crowell, b. 8-11-1818.

11. ii. Ann Mary Crowell, b. 7-16-1820, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.

iii. Lydia E. Crowell, b. 10-11-1822.

iv. Matilda S. Crowell, b. 2-1-1824.

v. Susan M. Crowell, b. 1825; d. 9-11-1846.

Notes for Susan M. Crowell:

Susan is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen,
Wayne County, NY.

vi. Jerush A. Crowell, b. 2-26-1827.

vii. Lewis H. Crowell, b. 2-13-1829, NY.

12. viii. John Crowell, b. 2-28-1831; d. 1878.

ix. William E. Crowell, b. 11-19-1833.

x. Parthana S. Crowell, b. 5-5-1840.

6. CALVIN HALL⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 12-20-1802 in Galway, Saratoga Co., NY, and died 4-27-1891 in Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA. He married (1) SERAPH H. BOTHWELL 5-20-1829 in Prob. Oneida, Madison Co., NY. She was born 12-2-1804 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY, and died 9-11-1841 in Galen, Wayne Co., NY. He married (2) LOUISA L. TUTTLE 11-9-1842 in Clyde, Town of Galen, Wayne Co., NY, daughter of LEVI TUTTLE and OLIVE FOX. She was born 9-29-1808 in St. Lawrence Co., NY, and died 9-28-1872 in Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA.

Notes for CALVIN HALL BLISS:

"Bliss, Calvin H., farmer 200" (acres). From Gazetteer and Business Directory of Wayne County, N.Y. 1867; published by Hamilton Child & Co., Syracuse, NY 1867.

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Excerpt from "Town of Galen, Wayne County, New York: A History of the Calvin Hall Bliss Family on Salerno Road," by Robert K. Mead.

..."The writer, who is a great-great grandson of Calvin and Seraph, has no knowledge of their farm activities except that they built a new dwelling and barn and moved there from the original buildings, which were located a few hundred feet away. On March 11 of 1869 they held an auction selling horses, cows, sheep and farm tools. In June they sold the farm to David S. Finch and moved to Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia. Calvin was age 67 at the time. His second wife Louisa died in Virginia in 1872 at age 63.

"Calvin Hall Bliss purchased a plantation of 284 acres in Farmville, Virginia in 1869, which he operated until his death on April 27, 1891. During his tenure of 22 years in Virginia he became interested in politics, holding the office of Sheriff and Supervisor of his township. He then became a State Senator in the Virginia Legislature for four terms. The Honorable Calvin Hall Bliss represented Prince Edward and Cumberland counties...." See OBITUARY NOTES below.

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I first became cognizant of Calvin's age and date of death from one of several notations in the back of his granddaughter Nellie Mae Bliss's schoolbook, later passed down to her daughter Jennie, my mother:

"Grandpa Bliss died April 27, 1891, age 88, 4 mos, 7 days." /C.W. Paige

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The following obituary appeared in the Clyde "Times" newspaper; Clyde, NY: 30 April 1891.

Death of a Former Resident.

Hon. Calvin H. Bliss, a former well-known resident of Galen, died at his home, near Farmville, Prince Edward Co., Va Monday, April 27th, in his 89th year. His death was caused from paralysis, he having suffered a stroke the Wednesday previous. Mr. Bliss was born in Vermont, in 1802. He came to Galen from Schoharie County, N.Y., in 1833, and was a resident of this town for thirty-six years, owning and occupying the David S. Finch farm, four miles northeast of Clyde—which he sold to Mr. Finch. In June, 1869, he removed to Prince Edward County, Va., where he had since resided. Mr. Bliss was known as an active and prominent citizen in that locality, and for four terms represented his district as State Senator in the Virginia Legislature. He was twice married, his first wife being Seraph Bothwell, by whom he had five children, all of whom are living, viz.: Mrs. Susan E. Kelsey, of Galen; Samuel H. Bliss, of Farmville, Va.; John B. Bliss and Mrs. Mary S. Williams, of Tekonsha, Mich.; Sidney E. Bliss, of Albion, Mich. His second wife was Mrs. Louisa T. West, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living, viz.: Misses E. Louisa and Carrie H. Bliss, (at the homestead,) and Calvin H. Bliss, Jr., of Farmville, Va. Mrs. M. J. Crowell, of Clyde, was the daughter of his second wife, by a former husband.

OBITUARY NOTES:

(1) Most genealogical accounts (of which this writer is aware) state Calvin was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., NY, whereas his Clyde Times obituary and the History of the Calvin Hall Bliss Family, both included above, state he was born in Vermont. Calvin's second wife Louisa was born in Vermont, which is perhaps how that state got added to the mix. Also, at least one of Calvin's siblings was born in Vermont as discussed below. At minimum, Calvin indicated "NY" as his place of birth on every census from 1850 until 1880. His wife Louisa claimed she was born in VT in two of those census years, only making it ditto marks under "NY" in the one for 1860. Their son Calvin H., Jr. apparently got it backwards when he claimed his father was born in VT and mother born in NY in the 1900 census. (The only one of Calvin Hall Bliss, Sr.'s eight siblings known to have been born in VT was Nathaniel Franklin Bliss, who was born in Bennington, Bennington Co., VT, in 1809.)

(2) Calvin’s Clyde Times obituary and the History of the Calvin Hall Bliss Family, both included above, state he was a member of the Virginia Legislature four terms, but "A history of Prince Edward County, Virginia: from its formation in 1753, to the present," by Charles Edward Burrell - 1922 - Prince Edward County (Va.), indicates he was a member five terms: 1877-79, 1879-80, 1881-82, 1883-84, 1885-87.

(3) The History of the Calvin Hall Bliss Family claims that Calvin was also sheriff and township supervisor. This writer knows of no other references or evidence to substantiate those claims. However, Calvin’s widower son Calvin H. Bliss, Jr., living with his father and sisters at Farmville, Prince Edwards Co., VA, at the time of the 1880 Federal census, was listed as sheriff of county. /C.W. Paige]

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http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nymonnws/1898/APR.html

Rochester, Monroe, NY

Democrat & Chronicle

Thurs Apr 14, 1898

RECENT DEATHS

--David S. FINCH, of Galen, died Tuesday morning at his residence four miles northeast of Clyde, aged 79 years. Mr. FINCH was born in Dresden. In 1869 he bought the Calvin H. BLISS farm, on which he resided at the time of his death.

Notes for SERAPH H. BOTHWELL:

Seraph is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen, Wayne County, NY.

Notes for LOUISA L. TUTTLE:

Louisa formerly had been married to Harry West of Galen, who had died about 1834. Louisa was still a widow at the time of the 1840 Federal census of Galen, Wayne Co., NY. Her sons had all left home by then but a younger daughter remained. There was also an older woman between 60 and 70 years old in the household--probably her mother Olive, who was still alive in 1850. In 1850, Olive was living with William B. Tuttle, a 38-year-old clerk, born in Canada, and Julia Tuttle, 35 years old, born in NY. Olive was 73 years old, born in CT.

An alternate spelling for Louisa's maiden name was Tuthill.

Louisa is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Town of Galen, Wayne County, NY.

Marriage Notes for CALVIN BLISS and LOUISA TUTTLE:

The Calvin and Louisa Bliss family was living at Galen, Wayne Co., NY, at the time of the 1850 Federal census. In the household were: Calvin H., 48 years old, a farmer with real estate valued at $6,000, born in NY; Louisa, 40 years old, born in VT; Susan E., 20 years old, born in NY; Sam'l, 18 years old, born in NY; Mary J. West, 17 years old, born in NY (Louisa's daughter by husband the late Harry West of Galen); John W. Bliss, 15 years old, born in NY; Sidney, 13 years old, born in NY; Mary S., 10 years old, born in NY; Emily, 7 years old, born in NY; Caroline, 4 years old, born in NY; and Ella, 1 year old, born in NY.

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The Calvin and Louisa Bliss family was living at Galen, Wayne Co., NY, at the time of the 1860 Federal census. In the household were: Calvin H., 57 years old, a farmer with real estate valued at $10,000 and personal estate valued at $1,000; Louisa, 50 years old; Mary S., 19 years old; "Loiza," 17 years old; Carrie, 14 years old; Ella, 12 years old; Calvin H. Jr., 9 years old; James Mcarthy, 24 years old, a farm laborer, born in Ireland; and Sidney Bliss, 22 years old, a farm laborer.

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Some of the Bliss family moved from NY to VA in June 1869.

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The Calvin and Louisa Bliss family was living at Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA, at the time of the 1870 Federal census. In the household were: C. H., 67 years old, a farmer with real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $3,000; Louisa, 60 years old; Emily E., 26 years old; Carry, 22 years old; Ella, 21 years old; and Calvin, 18 years old, worked on farm. All were born in NY except for Louisa, who was born in VT.

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Calvin's family was still living at Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA, at the time of the 1880 Federal census. In the household were: widower Calvin H., 77 years old, a farmer; daughter Louisa, 35 years old; daughter Carry, 33 years old; daughter Ellie, 28 years old; and widower son Calvin H. Jr., 26 years old, sheriff of county.

Children of CALVIN BLISS and SERAPH BOTHWELL are:

13. i. Susan Elizabeth¹⁰ Bliss, b. 6-6-1830, Oneida, Madison Co., NY;
d. 7-18-1904, Galen, Wayne Co., NY.

14. ii. Samuel H. Bliss, b. 2-11-1832, Oneida, Madison Co., NY;
d. 1910, Prob. Virginia.

15. iii. John Bothwell Bliss, b. 7-5-1835, Galen Twp., Wayne Co., NY;
d. 3-9-1924, Marshall, Calhoun Co., MI.

16. iv. Sidney E. Bliss, b. 11-27-1837, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY;
d. 3-28-1916, Albion, Calhoun Co., MI.

17. v. Mary S. Bliss, b. 10-17-1840, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY;
d. 4-24-1920, Tekonsha, Calhoun Co., MI.

Children of CALVIN BLISS and LOUISA TUTTLE are:

vi. Emily Louise¹⁰ Bliss, b. 12-18-1843, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY;
d. 1-13-1916.

Notes for Emily Louise Bliss:

A notation for Louisa at the time of the 1880 Federal census of Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA, may say "spinal disease." It is very difficult to read. It is in the column under "Is the person [on the day of the Enumerator's visit] sick or temporarily disabled, so as to be unable to attend to ordinary business or duties?"

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At the time of the 1900 Federal census of Wolcott, Wayne Co., NY, Emily's name was listed as "Eloise" and she was living with her sister Caroline H. Bliss along with Caroline's adopted daughter Elizabeth Tatum, who had been born in Virginia in December 1882. No occupation was listed for Eloise.

vii. Caroline Helen "Carrie" Bliss, b. 4-24-1846, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY;
d. 4-17-1936, Wolcott, Wayne Co., NY.

Notes for Caroline Helen "Carrie" Bliss:

Caroline was living in a rented house at Wolcott, Wayne Co., NY at the time of the 1900 Federal census. Her occupation was listed as "teacher of drawing." Her sister Emily was also living with her, though Emily's name was listed as "Eloise." Also in the household was Caroline's adopted daughter Elizabeth Tatum, who had been born in Virginia in December 1882.

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"Carrie" was living in Wolcott, NY, at the time of her half-brother Sidney's death in 1916.

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The following obituary is taken from "The Lake," a Wolcott, NY newspaper, issue No. 42, dated Thursday April 23, 1936.

"MISS CARRIE E. BLISS

Retired Teacher Passes at 90 Years of Age--Burial Made at Clyde

"Miss Carrie E. Bliss, for two decades teacher of drawing and science in the Wolcott high school, died last Saturday [s/b Friday] at the home of her niece, Mrs. Jesse Chatfield, in Butler, just four days short of 90 years of age.

"Miss Bliss was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Bliss, and was born in Clyde, April 24, 1846. She was educated there and in the National Normal school at Lebanon, O.

"Meanwhile the family had removed to Virginia, whither Miss Bliss went in 1869, teaching there in private schools. In 1894 she came to Clyde and taught for two years in the Clyde high school, removing to Wolcott in 1896.

"There she was a well-known figure in educational circles till she retired on a pension in 1916. Miss Bliss had almost encyclopedic information on so many subjects that she was a mine of information to her pupils. When asked where she acquired the facts, she frequently said, "I reckon I always knew that," probably not meaning to be taken literally, but that she had learned it casually and had forgotten when and where. Having a remarkable memory, she picked up miscellaneous information almost without effort.

"Following her retirement, she fell and broke her hip twice, and was an invalid during the closing years of her long life. She was one of the three teachers made honorary members of the Leavenworth Alumni association.

"Her body was taken to undertaking room in Clyde directly after her death, and then brought here on Monday afternoon, the funeral being held from St. Stephen's Episcopal church at 3 p.m., the Rev. William H. G. Lewis officiating. Interment was made at Clyde.

"Miss Bliss will long be remembered by those brought in contact with her. She had an unusual and inspiring personality for all who...(one line is unreadable).

"Though coming from a large family, her nearest surviving relatives are nephews and nieces and their descendants, many of whom live in the vicinity of Clyde."

viii. Ella C. Bliss, b. 11-6-1848, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY; d. 9-7-1883.

            ix.         Calvin H. Bliss, b. 9-9-1851, Clyde, Wayne Co., NY; d. 1924;
                        m. (1) Caddie Addleman, 10-19-1876; b. 1856; d. 5-21-1879;
                        m. (2) Harriet E. (nee ) Bliss, 6-28-1881; b. 7-1847, Virginia.

Notes for Calvin H. Bliss:

Calvin was a widower, the sheriff of Prince Edwards Co., and living with his father and sisters at Farmville, VA, at the time of the 1880 Federal census. He was still living at Farmville when his half-brother Sidney's died in 1916.

Notes for Caddie Addleman:

One account has her name as "M. Caddie Addleman."

Marriage Notes for Calvin Bliss and Caddie Addleman:

Calvin and Caddie were said to be of Farmville, Prince Edward Co., Virginia.

Marriage Notes for Calvin Bliss and Harriet Bliss:

Calvin and Harriet were living at Farmville, Prince Edward Co., VA at time of the 1900 Federal census. Calvin was by profession an auctioneer. Knighton C. Bliss was living with his half-granduncle Calvin half-grandaunt Harriet E. Knighton was notated as having been adopted. His actual parents were Samuel H. and Sarah (Langslow) Bliss of Farmville.

7. BARNUM⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 3-20-1805 in Galway, Saratoga Co., NY, and died 1-14-1893. He married MARY ANN TRIPP 5-15-1828. She was born 4-9-1811 in Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., NY.

Notes for BARNUM BLISS:

"Uncle Barnum's" date of death was one of several notations in the back of his grandniece Nellie Mae Bliss's schoolbook, later passed down to her daughter Jennie, my mother:

"Uncle Barnum died Jan. 14, 1893, age 87, 9 mos, 24 days." /C.W. Paige

Marriage Notes for BARNUM BLISS and MARY TRIPP:

From the 1880 Federal census of Oakfield, Genesee Co., NY:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

Barnun BLISS Self M Male W 75 NY Farming NY NY

Mary A. BLISS Wife M Female W 69 NY House Keeping RI MA

Julia UNDERHILL Dau M Female W 42 NY House Keeping NY NY

Ida WARNER GDau S Female W 22 NY General Work NY NY

Barnum R. GSon Male W 17 NY Works On Farm NY NY

Children of BARNUM BLISS and MARY TRIPP are:

18. i. Weeden T.¹⁰ Bliss, b. 2-23-1829, Broome Co., NY; d. 8-18-1872,
Batavia, Genesee Co., NY.

19. ii. John E. Bliss, b. 9-15-1830, Broome Co., NY.

20. iii. William Bliss, b. 4-26-1833, Broome Co., NY.

iv. Hannah L. Bliss, b. 12-4-1834, Broome Co., NY;
m. William Conklin, 1-19-1854; b. Bef. 1834.

21. v. Anson T. Bliss, b. 8-1-1836, New Hartford, Oneida Co., NY.

22. vi. Julia A. Bliss, b. 3-13-1838, New Hartford, Oneida Co., NY.

8. SUSAN⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 3-10-1807, and died 7-31-1867 in Cohoes, Albany Co., NY. She married JOHN G. RICHTMYER 1828 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY. He was born 1809 in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY, and died 7-11-1877.

Notes for SUSAN BLISS:

Susan is buried at the Gilboa Rural Cemetery, town of Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY.

Notes for JOHN G. RICHTMYER:

Deacon John G. Richtmyer is buried at the Gilboa Rural Cemetery, town of Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY.

Child of SUSAN BLISS and JOHN RICHTMYER is:

i. Mary¹⁰ Richtmyer, b. 1833; d. 7-25-1853.

Notes for Mary Richtmyer:

“Mary only ch/Dea. J.G. & S (died) Jul 25 1853 ag 20” (from transcription of headstone). Mary is buried at the Gilboa Rural Cemetery, town of Gilboa, Schoharie Co., NY.

9. NATHANIEL FRANKLIN⁹ BLISS (SAMUEL⁸, SAMUEL "CAPTAIN"⁷) was born 6-5-1808 in Pownal, Bennington Co., VT, and died 10-6-1876 in Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI. He married MANDANA HALE 1848 in Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI, daughter of MASON HALE and ALVIRA HALE. She was born 9-18-1826 in Smithfield, Fayette Co., PA, and died 12-26-1907 in Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI.

Notes for NATHANIEL FRANKLIN BLISS:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wispags/pp-a-h.html:

Nathaniel was a carpenter and built the Bruce Hotel and other buildings in Stevens Point. He was also the first Justice of the Peace and on the county board.

Nathaniel was buried in Union Cemetery at Stevens Point.

Notes for MANDANA HALE:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wispags/pp-a-h.html:

Mandana was the first school teacher in Stevens Point, having arrived from Belvidere, IL, in 1847. Her family had moved to IL from Smithfield, Fayette Co., PA, when she was a child. She was recruited as teacher for Stevens Point by Mr. Phillip D. Bangle, who had been sent to Belvidere for supplies and, if possible, to find a school teacher. On the return trip to Wisconsin Mandana helped out by driving the oxen for one of the supply wagons.

Mandana enjoyed traveling and at various times in later years made thirteen trips to visit Frank and Harvey, who made their homes in Montana.

She was buried in Union Cemetery at Stevens Point.

Marriage Notes for NATHANIEL BLISS and MANDANA HALE:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wispags/pp-a-h.html

The family lived at 213 Bliss Avenue in Stevens Point.

Children of NATHANIEL BLISS and MANDANA HALE are:

i. Geraldine B.¹⁰ Bliss, b. 7-26-1849, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI;
m. John P. Clark, 1877, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI.

Notes for Geraldine B. Bliss:

It is said that Geraldine B. was the first white girl born in the city of Stevens Point.

Marriage Notes for Geraldine Bliss and John Clark:

John and Geraldine ran a grocery store in Stevens Point.

ii. Adelbert Bliss, b. 9-25-1850, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI;
d. 7-24-1905.

iii. Samuel Mason Bliss, b. 4-7-1852, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI.

Notes for Samuel Mason Bliss:

Samuel lived in Grand Rapids, MI.

iv. Josephine Bliss, b. 12-19-1854, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI; d. 1872.

v. Harvey Bliss, b. 12-31-1855, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI.

Notes for Harvey Bliss:

Harvey settled in Montana as did brother Frank.

vi. Charles Bliss, b. 4-21-1859, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI; d. 1860.

vii. Ann Bliss, b. 2-6-1862, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI;
m. James F. Smith; b. 8-22-1864.

viii. Franklin Bliss, b. 8-22-1864, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI.

Notes for Franklin Bliss:

Frank settled in Montana as did brother Harvey.

ix. Susan Bliss, b. 3-22-1867, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI;
d. 12-23-1943; m. William F. Cartmill.