- HOWARD F. BLISS, treasurer and manager of the Gazette Printing
Company, of Janesville,
- was born in Mount Carroll, Carroll County, Ill., Feb. 15,
1844, and is the son of Lewis and Mary (JENKINS) BLISS, the former
a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Connecticut. They
were among the pioneers of Carroll County, Ill., settling there
in 1839. In his native county young BLISS grew to manhood, receiving
a literary education in the common schools and a commercial education
in active business. He was reared on a farm, and when not in
school assisted in farm labor. When twenty years of age he left
home for Harvard, Ill., where for the next six months he was
engaged as clerk in a drug store. In the spring of 1865 he came
to Janesville, and entered the employ of WRIGHT & HUNT, leather
and saddlery hardware dealers, with whom he continued for three
years. He then engaged in business for himself in company with
Adam HAYNER, in the same line of trade, saddlery hardware, under
the firm name of HAYNER & BLISS. A year later Mr. C. BASSETT
became a member of the firm, and the business was continued under
the firm name of HAYNER, BLISS & Co. About 1874, the senior
member retired, and the business was carried on by BASSETT, BLISS
& Co. In 1876 J. C. ECHLIN purchased an interest, and the
firm became known as BASSETT, BLISS & ECHLIN. In 1883 Mr.
BLISS retired and purchased an interest in the Gazette Printing
Company, and was elected treasurer and manager, which position
he has since held. While not a practical printer, he has the
right business qualifications for a manger, and since forming
the connection the paper has been a good paying institution.
- On the 25th day of October, 1867, Mr. BLISS was united in
marriage with Miss Carrie
- HAYNER, a daughter of Adam HAYNER, and a native of Rensselaer
County, N.Y. Four children have blessed their union: George
H., Harry, Emma and Charles L. They have adopted a nephew and
niece of Mrs. BLISS, James and Faith WILLMARTH.
- Mr. and Mrs. BLISS are members of the Court Street Methodist
Episcopal Church, and both
- take a special interest in the work of that organization.
Socially he is a member of Janesville Lodge, No. 55, A.F. &
A.M., the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor and Traveling Men's
Association. In politics he is a Republican, and for several
years has been chairman of the Republican City Central Committee.
He is vice-president of the Publishers' Commercial Union of
Chicago. As a citizen he is enterprising and active having an
eye single to the best interests of Janesville and Rock County,
and is ever ready to do his part in whatever is calculated for
the public good.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 485-486.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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