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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of R. BLISS 

[Surnames: BLISS, FINNESSEY, STODDARD, WATSON] 

BLISS, R. 

    
One of the oldest and most successful merchants of Avon, where he has been engaged in business for more than fifty years, he is a native of the state of Vermont, where he was born in 1827. His immediate ancestors were also of Eastern nativity, both his parents having been born in New England. 
    
Mr. Bliss was reared on a farm and in early youth went to the public schools near his home. He became a resident of Fulton County in 1855, buying a farm of 140 acres in Union Twp., where he was engaged in farming for 3 years. 
    
In 1858 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and established his home in the Village of Avon, opening a store in which he handled all sorts of merchandise. Since 1881 he has made a specialty of the clothing trade. In 1878, he built the store building which he now occupies, a two- story structure, 72 x 44 feet. 
    
In 1851 Mr. Bliss married Maria Stoddard, who was born in Vermont. They became the parents of William, Charles, Edgar, Minnie (Mrs. Watson), Ella (Mrs. E. J. Finnessey), and Elizabeth.