(September
2, 1830 – December 9, 1921)
Sidney
J. [Jared] Bliss
Sidney J. Bliss was born in Borset, Vermont, September 2, 1830, and departed this life, December 9, 1921, in Long Beach California. He was the youngest of a family of 12 [actually 14] children, of David and Samantha Bliss, who moved to Michigan with their family in 1848, and settled on section nine, Riley Township, Clinton county, Michigan, then a dense wilderness. Here he grew up to manhood and helped clear away the forest and endured the hardships of the early settlers. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. G. 23rd Michigan infantry. He was wounded in action, but joined his regiment as soon as his wounds were healed and served to the end of the war with distinction and was honorably discharged in May 1865. He came home and settled on his farm on section nine Riley Township. In 1867, he was married to Helen Jones of the same place. Five children were born to this union. In the spring of 1890, the family moved to Lansing, Michigan, where the mother died in the fall of 1896. In October 1907, he went to Long Beach, California where he taught music until his age no longer permitted. After leaving his farm in Riley Township he devoted his time to music. His home was always an attraction to lovers of music, for the entire family of seven were musicians. The family will be well remembered by the music loving public of Lansing.
The remains were brought to Lansing, where short funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Davenport, 223 S. Walnut Street, a niece of Mr. Bliss. Rev. G. H. Ashworth of First Universalist church, officiating. Interment in Mt. Hope. He is survived by his five sons. Dean, Irvin, and Earl of Detroit, Michigan, Roy of Toledo, Ohio, and Herman of Long Beach, California, and one brother, Henry W. Bliss, of Riley, Clinton County, and a host of other relatives and friends.