[Son of Calvin Hall and Seraph (Bothwell) Bliss]

"Sidney E. Bliss was born at Clyde, New York, and died at his home, 107 West Elm street, Albion, Michigan, March 28, 1916. He was a son of Calvin H. Bliss and his wife Seraph Bothwell Bliss and was the great-grandson of Captain Samuel Bliss of Rehoboth, Mass., of Revolutionary fame. Capt. Bliss commanded a company of eight-day minutemen April 19-27, 1775, and afterwards (1775) a company of eight-months men in Col. Timothy Walker's regiment and was Gen. Washington's steward at Morristown in the winter of 1777. Mr. Bliss was married January 10, 1861, to Helen M. Hubbard.

"In 1866 they came to Michigan, locating at Tekonsha, but the following year they moved to a farm three miles south of Albion, where he lived until 1884. In that year he moved to Albion, since which time he has made this city his home. He was by trade a carpenter, and worked at building more or less during the whole of his life.

"His home life was especially happy until the death of his wife, March 20, 1901. Six children were born to them, all of whom are living: Mrs. Mary S. Buckman, Hanover; Charles S. Bliss, Albion; Wm. H. Bliss, Kansas City, Kansas; Mrs. Susan E. Barnes, Duluth; Mrs. Etta M. Kendrick, Traverse City; Mrs. Nellie M. Barnes, Chicago. There are also eleven grandchildren.

"Since the death of his wife, his son Charles has lived in the family home on West Elm street, and he had made his home there, although he [Sidney] had spent part of his time with his other children.

"He was converted in 1879 in a revival held in the Babcock schoolhouse by Rev. Uri Mason, and was baptized in the river which ran through his farm. He joined the M. E. Church in Albion at that time and has since been a regular attendant and faithful member.

"While he lived on the farm he not only attended the church in town but also took student preachers home with him for the service at the schoolhouse in the afternoon.

"He has been a man of clean personal habits, a devoted husband and father, a citizen who could always be counted on to throw his influence on the side of right, and a humble yet devoted Christian.

"Four of his eight brothers and sisters are left to mourn his departure. They are: John B. Bliss, Marshall; Mrs. Mary S. Williams, Tekonsha; Miss Carrie H. Bliss, Wolcott, N.Y.; and C. H. Bliss, Farmville, Va.

"The funeral service was conducted Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m., by the Methodist pastor, Rev. A. R. Johns, D. D., at the family home, and the body was laid to rest at Riverside cemetery."

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