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- Elford Duane BLISS was born in Milton, Wis., July
8, 1860. He was the eldest of
- three children born to Charles James and Celestia COON
BLISS, the two survivors being Florence BLISS of
Mount Vernon, Mo., and Mrs. Bertha SPAFFORD of Rockford,
Ill. He gained a common school education and attended Milton
College.
- He was married to Margaret STEER CRUMB August
1, 1881. Three of their
- children died in infancy. Their son Leon Earl BLISS,
has his home in Valier, Mon. He and his family recently visited
his parents here. Their daughter, Mrs. Kathryn ROGERS,
lives in Milton. There are four grandchildren.
- After a year spent in business with an uncle in Richburg,
N.Y., Mr. BLISS entered
- into partnership with his father, handling farm implements
at Milton Junction. In 1885 he founded the business with which
his name has since been associated, selling organs and sewing
machines, then adding pianos. He was reliable and dependable,
industrious and tactful, and the business thrived.
- He has been a valuable man in his community, and widely known
and trusted in the
- communities about. He formed deep friendships with the people
with whom he had business relations. For twenty years he was
a member of the School Board, giving careful; conscientious service.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Milton College, and
a valuable member of the Publicity Committee. He was for many
years a trustee of his church, serving for many years as treasurer.
He was a vice president of the Bank of Milton. He passed through
all the chairs and honors of Du Lac Lodge I.O.O.F., and was for
years Chaplain.
- When a young boy he enlisted in the service of Christ and
was baptized, joining the
- Milton S.D.B. church of which he has since remained a member.
He was active in young people's work in early years, being a
constituent member of the Excell Band. He was a strong supporter
of Bible school, Brotherhood, and the various church activities.
He had a deep interest in the extension of Christ's Kingdom in
all ways. He was strong in his convictions, but tolerant and
charitable in his judgment of others. Like his Master, he took
an interest in people without regard to the barriers of race
or social organization. He sought to do all the good he could
as he passed along the road of life. A large number of people
looked upon him as a dear personal friend. He was a lover of
home and a most cordial host.
- He has had heart trouble for many years, due to an overstrain
in connection with his
- moving pianos. Several months ago he had to give up business.
A few days before his death, which occurred on May 11, he quietly
and calmly told his wife that he would not recover. She must
not feel blue about it. It was one of the common things of life.
He had always felt that way about it. They had had good times
together and he appreciated her constant presence with him during
his sickness. He had always felt that he would be the first to
go. It was all right. "The peace that passeth all understanding"
was in his steady, loving tone.
- Funeral services were held at the S.D.B. church on the afternoon
of May 14. The
- large auditorium was completely filled with those bound to
him by the ties of blood and by the ties of human fellowship.
It was an hour of great tenderness. There was a profusion of
beautiful flowers. Pastor Randolph's text was, Matt. 20:28: "Even
as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many." A large number
of people from Janesville, Edgerton, Delavan, Rock Prairie, Albion,
Albion Prairie, Lima and other communities, as well as from the
twin villages. Among the nearer relatives present were Mrs. Bertha
SPAFFORD of Rockford, Ill., W. D. BLISS and wife
of Wauwatosa, and Miss Elizabeth STEER of Harvard, Ill.
[Thursday edition, p. 1]
-
- Courtesy of Jon Saunders
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