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Milton James Bliss

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Birth	:	20 Jan 1870 Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, USA
Death	:	9 Aug 1932 Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, USA
Burial	:	East Haverhill Cemetery, East Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.0289688, -71.9889297
Plot	:	Section A, Lot # 33.
Description	:	Milton is the son of DeBert Bliss (nicknamed "Bert"), and his wife Nancy A. Smith (of Buchanan Twp. and Niles Twp.), near Buchanan, Berrien Co. Michigan. ------------------------------------ Milton had one sister named Anna (who married Joseph P. Geyer, and they then moved to New Mexico, along with Milton's mother Nancy (Smith) Bliss, about late 1900). ------------------------------------- Milton was born on the farm that his grandparents Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna, bought when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was located in Buchanan Township, two miles S.W.... Read More	Milton is the son of DeBert Bliss (nicknamed "Bert"), and his wife Nancy A. Smith (of Buchanan Twp. and Niles Twp.), near Buchanan, Berrien Co. Michigan. ------------------------------------ Milton had one sister named Anna (who married Joseph P. Geyer, and they then moved to New Mexico, along with Milton's mother Nancy (Smith) Bliss, about late 1900). ------------------------------------- Milton was born on the farm that his grandparents Hiram Bliss Sr. and his wife Anna, bought when they came from Richford, Tioga County New York to Buchanan Township, Berrien County Michigan in 1864. It was located in Buchanan Township, two miles S.W. of Buchanan, Berrien Co. MI on the "Galien-Buchanan Road" (near the Bakertown Cemetery). ------------------------------------- When Milton was 1 and 1/2 years old, his father DeBert Bliss sold this farm on the Galien-Buchanan road to his cousin Willard Bliss French. ------------------------------------ Soon-after, in 1872, DeBert bought another farm in Niles township, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Michigan, on Geyer Road. (In the late 1890's this part of Niles township, was transferred to Buchanan township). ---------------------------------- Milton began working in the fields on this farm on Geyer Road when but eleven years of age, putting in twenty-two acres of wheat, unassisted (per: "A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County Michigan", by Orville W. Coolidge, page 567). ------------------------------------- He worked in the fields in the summer months, while in the winter he attended the district school (the Mead School). ----------------------------------- When Milton's father DeBert died in 1887, DeBert left the farm to his son Milton, with his wife Nancy having a life lease. ------------------------------------ Milton was married to Julia M. Feather on June 9, 1891 in Hinchman, in Oronoko township (North of Buchanan), Berrien County Michigan, by S. P. Fryberger, Minister of the Gospel. Julia was the daughter of John Henry Feather Sr. and his second wife Sophia S. Koppenheffer. ----------------------------------- Milton and Julia had two children: Lloyd Feather Bliss (1895-1938), and Allene Bliss (She died in 1900 at 5 weeks of age). (They are listed under his wife Julia Bliss). -------------------------------------- When Milton was 24 years of age, he joined the "Modern Woodmen of America", camp in Buchanan, MI. ------------------------------------- For about 58-60 years Milton farmed 124 acres on Geyer Road in Niles Twp. (N.- N.E. of Buchanan), Berrien County Michigan, which is where their son Lloyd was born and raised. --------------------------------- This area on the North-East side of Buchanan (and the N.-E. side of the St. Joseph river), is known as the "Bend of the River" (where the St. Joseph River bends). -------------------------------------- A picture of Milton, Julia, and their son Lloyd F. Bliss, taken on this farm on Geyer Road around 1900 [not 1910 as is stated in the book, because Lloyd was born in 1895], can be seen in "Greetings from Buchanan, Historic Photobook Series", by Leo J. Goodsell and Robert C. Myers. Published in 2005 by the Berrien County Historical Association (page 35). -------------------------------------- This farm was near (just down the road), from the Mead School, which was located on the South-East corner of Geyer Road and Range Line Road, in District No. 5, which Milton and later, his son Lloyd Bliss, and then Lloyd's children, attended. (The Mead school was "originally" located 1/4 mile to the east, on the opposite side of the road). The "original" Mead School was built in 1839. It was later located on the S.-E. corner of Range line and Geyer Roads, about 1853. ------------------------------------ In the "original record book" of the Mead school, it reads: --- "I here by accept the office of Director in school district No. five of the township of Niles and Buchanan, dated this 31 day of July, 1906", [signed] Milton J. Bliss. --- Note: The Mead school was located on the township line, of Niles township, and Buchanan township. ---------------------------------- The children of Milton's son Lloyd Bliss also attended the Mead school. Lloyd's daughter Thelma Bliss was the only student in the second grade in 1925. Three generations of the Bliss family attended the Mead School: Milton, Lloyd, and Lloyd's children. ---------------------------------------- Milton inherited this farm (from his father), listed as "the East half of the Southwest quarter of Section Eighteen" in Niles Township (on Geyer Road). -------------------------------------- Later, Milton's wife Julia is listed as the owner of most of this farm. -------------------------------------- In 1894 Julia purchased 80 plus acres of this farm from her husband Milton, for $2,500.oo, with the money she must have received from her wealthy Grandfather Joshua Feather Sr. (Deed book - Liber 111, Page 446). ----------------------------------------- Joshua Feather Sr. gave each of his children and each of his grand- children, either land to start a farm, or money to buy a farm. (Apparently he stipulated that the money was only to be used to buy property). ------------------------------------ Julia left her large share of the farm, in her will, to her son Lloyd Feather Bliss (instead of to her husband Milton). ---------------------------------------- After Milton's wife Julia died in 1924, Milton's son Lloyd and his family moved back (from Edwardsburg, MI), and lived next to Milton on this farm on Geyer Road, N.-N.E. of Buchanan, Michigan. ------------------------------------ Four generations of the Bliss family have lived on this farm: DeBert, Milton, Lloyd, and Lloyd's children. --------------------------------------- About 1 and 1/2 years before his death, Milton moved into town, on N. Portage St. in Buchanan, MI. -------------------------------------- Milton died at his home on North Portage St. in Buchanan, MI after an illness of several months. --------------------------------------- He died of "chronic nepritis" (inflammation of the kidneys), at the age of 62 years, 6 months, and 11 days. -------------------------------------- The following obituary for Milton was published in the "Niles Daily Star" newspaper in Niles, Michigan on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 1932, page 2: --- FORMER BEND OF RIVER FARMER DIES AT HOME IN BUCHANAN TUESDAY. Buchanan, Aug 9 -- Milton Bliss 62, died at his home on North Portage street, this morning at 1:30 o'clock, after an illness of several months. He was born on a farm at the Bend of the River, Jan. 28, 1870 [not correct], and was the son of Bert [DeBert] and Nancy Bliss. For over 60 years he lived in the Bend of the River [on Geyer Road]. He moved to Buchanan about a year and one half ago. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Nancy [Smith - Bliss] Studebaker, and one sister, Mrs. Joseph [Anna] Geyer, both of Springer, New Mexico, and one son, Lloyd Bliss, of the Bend of the River [on Geyer Road]. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. ------------------------------------- Note: The sentence above, which states that Milton was born on Jan. 28, in the "Bend of the River" area, is NOT correct. Milton was born Jan 20, 1870, on a farm located on the "Galien-Buchanan" Road, in Buchanan Township (about two miles West of Buchanan, Michigan). [See following obituary]. --------------------------------- The following obituary was published in the "Berrien County Record" newspaper, in Buchanan, MI., on Aug. 11, 1932: --- MILTON BLISS, LOCAL PIONEER, BURIED TODAY. Resided Many Years in Bend of River: Son of Nancy [Smith - Bliss] Studebaker, who survives him. Milton James Bliss, 62, a native of Buchanan township and a lifelong resident of this section, died Tuesday at his home on North Portage street, after an illness of several months. Mr. Bliss was born June 28 [20], 1870, on the farm now owned by Ira Boyle, two miles west of Buchanan. He was the son of Delbert ["should" say "DeBert"] Bliss and Nancy Smith Bliss. He had resided on a farm in the Bend of the River section [on Geyer Road] for many years. His wife [Julia] died there Sept. 13, 1924. He is survived by a son, Lloyd, of the Bend of the River [on Geyer Road]: by a sister, Mrs. Anna Geyer of Springer, N. Mex. [New Mexico]: and by his mother, Mrs. Nancy Smith [-Bliss-] Studebaker of Springer, N. Mex. The funeral will be held at 2:30 p. m. Eastern Standard Time, from the Childs Funeral Home, with Rev. H. W. Staver preaching. Burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery. -------------------------------------- A short "notice of death" was also published in the Berrien Springs "Journal Era" newspaper on Thursday, Aug. 11, 1932, page 10. It reads: ----- DEATHS. Milton Bliss, aged 62 years, Buchanan. -------------------------------------- Milton's probate record (will) is on file in Berrien County Michigan. (Instead of appointing his son Lloyd as the executor of his will), Milton appointed his cousin, Harry Smith, of Detroit, Michigan as the executor of his will, and he willed "the West fourty-two acres" (that he still owned), of the farm on Geyer Road, to his cousin Harry Smith (the son of Nancy A. Smith's brother Howard Francis Smith and his 1st wife Libbie). ------------------------------------- Harry Smith later moved back (from Detroit, to Buchanan, MI), after he retired from Detroit Edison. Harry is buried near his father Howard Francis Smith, in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. See the memorial for Milton's cousin Harry S. Smith (1872-1953), buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, on this web site. -------------------------------------- Milton James Bliss is buried in the Bliss Family Plot, in Section A, Lot # 33. Milton's headstone reads: --------- FATHER MILTON J. 1870-1932 ------------------------------------ Note: See article on Milton Bliss in "A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County Michigan", by Judge Orville W. Coolidge. 1906. Pages 567 and 568. (This article also mentions his parents, DeBert and Nancy Bliss and his grandparents, Hiram and Anna Bliss). Note: Google "Michigan County Histories", Then...type in "Bliss". ------------------------------------ Note: Also, see "Genealogy Of The Bliss Family In America" (a three volume set), compiled and published by Aaron Tyler Bliss, Midland, MI 1982. Volumes I and II, pages 244, 494-497, 827-828, 1151-1152, 1222, and 1458. Located in the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana (www.acpl.lib.in.us) and in the Library of Michigan, Lansing, Michigan (www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan) ------------------------------------- Note: See the memorials for his family, on this web site: ----- Grandfather, Hiram Bliss Sr., of MI. Grandmother, Anna (Ross) Bliss, of Michigan. Father, DeBert Bliss, of Michigan. Mother, Nancy (Smith-Bliss) Studebaker, of New Mexico. Sister, Anna (Bliss) Geyer, of New Mexico. Wife, Julia (Feather) Bliss, of MI. Son, Lloyd Feather Bliss, of MI. Granddaughter, Thelma (Bliss) Letcher, of Michigan. ----- Note: Milton and Julia Bliss, are my Great, Grandparents. Nancy (Letcher) Heib. ------------------------------------ Click on photos to see enlargements, captions, and additional photos. ------------------------------------

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Milton James Bliss's memorial?
Milton James Bliss's memorial is located at: East Haverhill Cemetery, East Haverhill, Grafton County, USA.
When did Milton James Bliss death?
Milton James Bliss death on 9 Aug 1932 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Milton James Bliss's memorial?
Latitude: 44.0289688
Longitude: -71.9889297

Family Members:

Parent

DeBert Bliss

(1836 - 1887)

Spouse

Julia M. Feather Bliss

(1869 - 1924)

Siblings

Children

Lloyd Feather Bliss

(1895 - 1938)

Allene Bliss

(1900 - 1900)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. East Haverhill Cemetery
East Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0289688, -71.9889297

2. Number 6 Cemetery
East Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0326400, -71.9518600

3. Rodimon-Cross Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9901100, -71.9924500

4. Lund Cemetery
Warren, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9882800, -71.9589200

5. Center Haverhill Cemetery
Center Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0770650, -71.9868740

6. Ladd Street Cemetery
Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0439600, -72.0532800

7. Abbott Cemetery
North Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0821730, -72.0186420

8. Oliverian Road Cemetery
Benton, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9978145, -71.9209265

9. Oxbow Cemetery
Newbury, Orange County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0881830, -72.0486670

10. Clay Hollow Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9597220, -72.0333330

11. High Street Cemetery
Glencliff, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9851100, -71.8913900

12. River Road Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0019500, -72.1013600

13. Horse Meadow Annex Cemetery
North Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1056820, -72.0408260

14. East Piermont Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9438890, -71.9689890

15. Horse Meadow Cemetery
North Haverhill, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1068880, -72.0405500

16. Cedar Grove Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9720300, -72.0813400

17. Upper Plain Cemetery
Bradford, Orange County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0084900, -72.1097200

18. Sawyer Cemetery
Bradford, Orange County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0085800, -72.1101000

19. South Lawn Cemetery
Piermont, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9667600, -72.0812500

20. West Cemetery
Benton, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1033700, -71.9014000

21. West Newbury Cemetery
West Newbury, Orange County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0591800, -72.1246900

22. East Cemetery
Benton, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0985985, -71.8846970

23. Swiftwater Cemetery
Bath, Grafton County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1303400, -71.9574300

24. Rogers Hill Cemetery
West Newbury, Orange County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0550003, -72.1322021