Calvin Bliss Is Dead

Calvin Bliss, oue of the early pioueers of tbis city aud for ínany years one of its respected busiuess meo, died at 1 o'clook last Snnday inorniug at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alva T. Hill, of Detroit, after an illness of two weeks from a stroke of paralysis, the first serious illness of his life. He was 84 years oíd aud carne to this city in 1834, wheu a young man of 21, when he openel the first jewelry store in Michigan west of Detroit. From that time he remained a resident of Aun Arbor nntil a year and a half ago, when ou the death of hiB wife he went to Detroit to live with his daughter. Calvin Bliss was bom iu Whitestone, N. Y., January 22, 1813, and was the sou of Lieut. Nathan Bliss, a revolutionary soldier. When a mere lad he was apprentioed to the jeweler's trade, which he learoed thoroughly and when of age he started west and opened a jewelry store in Ann Arbor. Business grew and he branched out until he owned a lager establishment, selling in addition to jewelry, dry goods, groceries, boots aud shoss. He aruassed considerable wealth, which was swept away by the panic of 1837, which reduoed him to poverty. He agaiu 'started in the jewelry business, and again prospered. He continued in tbis business iu this city until 1890, wben he retired. Mr. Bliss was oue of the origiual abolitionists and was one of the agents of the celebrated underground railroad, which helped the slaves to esoape to Canada. Mr. Bliss was married September 24, 1835, to Esther D. Billings aud at ouoe settled at what is uow 35 S. Fifth ave. ,where they oontiuued to reside until Mrs. Bliss' death Noinber 10, 1895. Por over 60 years tbeir happy married life coutinued under the same roof. Here eight cbildreu were boru to them, of whoru fuur survive. They are: Hale Bliss, of Chicago, Muuson W. Bliss, of Kansas City, Mrs. Archibald Johnson, of St. Paul, and Mrs. A. T. Hill, of Detroit. Mr. Bliss was one of the charter rnembers of the Congregational church in this city and recently attended its golden anuiversary in tbis city. The funeral services were held in Detroit at 11 a. ra. Tuesday and the rernains were brought to this city on the 1 :55 p. m. train and burial was had in Porest Hill cemetery in the presence of a uumber ot old friends. Mr. Bliss had many Iriends here and was greatly respectod. He lived to a happy old age aud was happy in bis life, keeping to a rare extent the powers of mind and body to the last.