USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. II > Part 121
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(IV) Thomas Bryant, eldest child of Thomas Bryant (3), was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, November 1, 1724. He was a soldier in the revolu- tion. He lived in Concord. On the morning of April 19, 1775, he was aroused by Colonel Pres- cott who threw open the door of his house and shouted "Thomas! Get up! The British are close upon us!" He fought in the battle of Concord and though never regularly enlisted, served with eleven others as a committee to keep order at home and to guard the British prisoners, many of whom were Hessians, kept at Concord. Before the close of the revolution he removed to Templeton, Massa- chusetts, where he lived the remainder of his life. The original farm contained what was later known as the Bryant farm and the Day farm, and was bounded on the south by the Hosmer place, and on the north by the Baldwin place, extending from the river on the east to the "Great Woods" on the west. The first house was thirty or forty rods west of the present house, and Asa Hosmer, a descen- dant of Thomas Bryant, remembers the old cellar that marked the site. There are now ten houses on what was the Day farm.
Thomas Bryant married, June 16, 1760. Eliza- beth Chandler, daughter of the elder Colonel Chand- ler, of Lexington. Their children, all born in Con- cord. were: Nathan, January II, 1761, see for- ward: Elizabeth, born July 5, 1763: Daniel Chandler, November 18. 1764; Samuel, May 1, 1767; Reuben, March II. 1760.
(V) Nathan Bryant, son of Thomas Bryant (4). was born in Concord, Massachusetts, January II, 1761. He died July, 1828, in Baldwinsville, Massa- chusetts. He was a soldier in the revolution. At the battle of Concord he was taken prisoner by the British and held several hours. His captors en- deavored by flattery and kindness to learn from him the hiding place of the cannon, etc. concealed by the Americans. He was then but a boy of fourteen. Later in the war he was orderly sergeant in a vol- unteer company for Concord, and was stationed for a time at Providence, where the college buildings were used for harracks. This company was life guard for General Lafayette and staff while they were in Boston. He came to Templeton with his father before the close of the revolution. He bought land in Templeton in 1792 of Daniel Nor- cross, and in 1797 of Samuel Osgood, and later of Josiah Hosmer and Thomas Fisher. He had the homestead mentioned below. He was a well-in- formed, self-educated man, a leader in town affairs, rather laconic and reticent. deeply religious. He was one of the charter members of the Baptist Church in Templeton, and his house was always open to the traveling ministers of his faith. He used often to say that he attributed his salvation to the free, unmerited and unsought grace of God.
Nathan Bryant married, May, 18So, in Concord, Lucy Hosmer, daughter of Josiah Hosmer, Sr., and his wife, Hannah Mason. Joseph Hosmer was born January 24, 1758, in Concord, and died January 24, 1809, in Baldwinsville. He married ( second) Mary Aluzzy, of Hubbardston. The child of Nathan and Lucy (Hosmer) Bryant was: Nathan, born April 28, 1785, see forward.
(VI) Nathan Bryant, Jr., son of Nathan Bryant (5), was born in Templeton, Masachuetts, April 28, 1785, and died February 18, 1808. He inherited the large estate of his father, including what is now known as the Day farm. since it was bought by Gilman Day, and retained it until his death, when he left it to his son, George W. Bryant. It passed to George E. Bryant, his grandson, who made many improvements on it, and bequeathed it to Augustus Harwood, a grandson of Mandell Bryant, who, with his father, now occupies and cultivates it. George W. Bryant removed to Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. His son. General George Edwin Bryant, was born on the old homestead. Nathan Bryant was a prominent citizen, for many years the deputy sheriff of the town. He married, November 27, 1806, in Templeton, Tabitha Mason, daughter of Daniel and Tabitha (Jenkins) Mason, of Barre, Massachusetts, where she was born January 16, 1784. She died at Baldwinville, March 5, 1864. Daniel Mason was the son of Captain John and Elizabeth Mason, and was born in Barre, April 6, 1753. He was a descendant of the well-known Watertown family. Captain Mason died at Barre, May 1. 1784, aged fifty-eight years. The children of Nathan and Tabitha Bryant were: Sarah, born January 15, 1808, married Edward Loud, and had one child, Frank. James Madison, July 16, 1809, died October 9, 1839. Lucian, December 20, 1810, married Charlotte Pierce, of Royalston, and had three children : Solon, Albert and Eunice Helen. John Mason, see forward. Mandell, January 15, 1813, married (first) Sarah Day and had two children : Isabel and Elizabeth. He married (second) Sybil Albert, October 3, 1814, married Caroline Baldwin, and had one son, James, who died young. Edwin, December 22, 1815, died March 9, 1816. Nathan, January 20, 1817, married Sarah Green- wood. Lucy Pierce, May 11, 1818, died July 2. 1880: married. April 17, 1837, Asa Hosmer 2, and they had seven children: James, died young; Asa 3d, treasurer of the Templeton Savings Bank : Geraldine, Nathan, Oscar, Flora, and Frank Loud. George Washington. October 22, 1820. died June 1, 1876; married Althine Day, of Winchendon, and had one son, George E. Harriet Lee, June 19, 1822, married Samuel Sawyer, and had one son Charles. Edwin, March 17, 1824, died March 27, 1824. Albig- ence Pierce, June 27, 1825, married (first) Diana Wilmarth: (second) Laura Cushing; had one son Edwin. Mary Muzzy. November 19, 1826, died unmarried. February 26, 1886.
(VI) John Mason Bryant, son of Nathan Bryant (5), was born in the village of Baldwinsville, De- cember 17, 1811. in the town of Templeton, Massa- chusetts, went to school in his native town, and attended New Salem Academy. He was brought up on the homestead, and went into the woolen mills at Otter River, in Templeton, and afterward worked in the mills at Templeton, Lee and Stockhridge, Massachusetts. After ten years he came back to Otter river as foreman in the woolen mill. where lie stayed a short time, and then removed to Gard- ner, Massachusetts, where he worked in a chair factory. He was a gifted mechanic and was in great demand in the chair shops to do hand carving on the high grade work. He started in the dry goods
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business in Gardner just before the financial crash which brought failure to some of the largest firms in town, and caused him to give up the store. He married. December 23, 1834, Sarah Johnson, of Templeton, Massachusetts. She was born December 26, 1813. at Templeton, and died October 30. 1880, at Gardner. Their children were: Helen Maria, see forward: John Clinton, see forward.
(VII) Helen Maria Bryant, daughter of John Mason Bryant (6), was born February 22, 1843. in Baldwinsville, Massachusetts. She married, No- vember 17, 1864, Charles N. Edgell, who was born January 29, 1843. the son of John and Elvira ( Nicholls ) Edgell. Their children are: Frank Bryant. born May 11, 1867, married, December 14, 1893, Nellie Temple, of Gardner. Harry Walter. born September 4, 1870, died March 29. 1890, in Amherst. Massachusetts. John Edgell. born No- vember 7, 1875. married, September 12, 1900, Georgia Louisa Lamb, of Westminster, and the have one child. Harry Kenneth Edgell. born July 14. 1901. Charles Nicholls Edgell, Jr., born November 13, 1876, married Ina E. Merritt, of Gardner, January 4. 1800. and they have one child, Helen Elizabeth, born February 5. 1903. George Albert Edgell, born March 5, 1885, died March 29. 1885.
(\'Il) John Clinton Bryant. son of John Bryant (6), was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, March 25, 1837. He moved with his parents to Gardner when a young lad, and was educated in the common schools there, also at the Barre (Vermont) Acad- emy, and at a Worcester Business School. After leaving school he worked with his father in the Heywood chair factory for several years, and then for four or five years was clerk in the general store in Gardner. He started in business with John D. Edgell, who was later cashier of the Gardner Na- tional Bank. After three years they sold out and he entered the firm of A. Bancroft & Company, with his wife's father, Amasa Bancroft, in the man- ufacture of pails and tubs. The partnership began in 1865. and lasted until the death of Mr. Bryant in Gardner. September 27, 1882. The business was extensive and prosperous. (See sketch of Mr. Ban- ( roft. the senior partner). Mr. Bryant was a strong Republican in sentiment. but never sought public office. He was a Free Mason, a member of Hope Lodge. and of the Good Templar Order. Philo- kalia Lodge. He was an active member of the Congregational Church, and was superintendent of the Sunday school there for many years. He was a man of engaging qualities of mind and heart and had many friends. He ranked among the self-made men of Gardner, was a gifted writer especially in verse, and was often called upton to write on oc- casions when poems were in order. He married. June 2. 1859. Caroline M. Bancroft. daughter of Amasa Bancroft. She is living in the old home in Gardner. Their children were: Amasa, see for- ward: Ernest Mason, sce forward.
(VIII) Amasa Bancroft Bryant. eldest son of Tohn Clinton Bryant (7). was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, August 4. 1869. He was educated in the public schools of Gardner. graduating from the high school there in 1886. Comer's Commercial College, and began a business career in the factory of his father and grandfather. He accepted chance to go to college, and entered Amherst in 1888. graduating in 1892. He was in business in the pail factory for a year or two, then under the ownership of Henry Hadley & Company, after his grandfather's death. and later entered the Gardner National Bank as clerk. Ile advanced through the various positions until he became the cashier in 1905. He is a member of Hope Lodge. A. F. and
A. M., and of Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Temp- lar: also a member and former treasurer of the Gardner Boat Club. He is a member and treasurer of the Congregational Church. He married Anna M. Winslow, of Amherst, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 27. 1892.
(VIII) Ernest Mason Bryant, son of John Clin- ton Bryant (7), was born in Gardner, Massachu- setts. October II, 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Gardner, and at Becker's Business College, Worcester. He is employed by Jordan, Marsh & Company, Boston, as saleman, and lives in Dorchester. He married Florence Leota Up- ham, of Athol, Massachusetts, March 26, 1903.
Mrs. Caroline M. (Bancroft) Bryant. John
Bancroft (1), married Jane They came to New England on the ship "James" from London in 1632, settled in Lynn where he died in 1637, and she had a grant of land in 1638. Their children were: Amos. John, Thomas. Samuel and William.
(II) Thomas Bancroft, son of John Bancroft (I), was born in England, in 1622. He deposed in 16SI that he was about fifty-eight years old. He was a townsman in Dedham in 1648, removed to Reading about 1653, and settled in what is now Lynnfield, Massachusetts, near Beaver Dam in the western part of Reading. He married (first), March 31. 1647, Alice Bacon, daughter of Michael Bacon, of Dedham. She died March 29, 1648, and he mar- ried (second), July 15. 1648, Elizabeth Metcalf, daughter of Michael and Sarah Metcalf. She was admitted to the church at Dedham, December 14, 1651. and at Reading, November 22. 1669. Thomas Bancroft was a lieutenant, and died at Lynn, Au- gust 19. 1691. His widow died May 1, 1711. The child of Thomas and Alice ( Bacon) Bancroft was: Thomas, born and died 1648. The children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Metcalf) Bancroft were: Thomas, born 1649. see forward; Elizabeth, born 1653. married Joseph Brown: John, born 1656: Sarah, born 1660, died 1661 ; Raham, born 1662 died 1683; Sarah, born 1666, married John Woodward; Ebenezer, born 1667: Mary, born 1670.
(III) Deacon Thomas Bancroft, son of Lieu- tenant Thomas Bancroft (2), was born in Ded- ham. Massachusetts, in 1649, and married in 1673, Sarah Poole. He was an officer in King Philip's war, was selectman of Reading for several years, and built the fourth house in the west parish, near the Abraham Temple house, and generally known as the ancient Bancroft homestead. The children of Deacon Thomas and Sarah ( Poole) Bancroft were: Thomas, born 1673; Jonathan, born and died 1675: Sarah, born 1676, married Abraham Bryant (2), of Reading and Sudbury, Massachusetts: Mehi- table, born 1678. married Parker; Jonathan, born 1681, married Sarah -, died 1702; Raham, 1681: Judith, 1688, married Parker: Samuel, 1601. died 1692; Samuel, born 1693: Elizabeth, born 1696. married. 1713. John Lampson.
(IV) Deacon Raham Bancroft, son of Deacon Thomas Bancroft (3). was born in Reading. Massa- chusetts, 1684. He married (first) Abigail Eaton, of a Reading family, daughter of Jonas and Han- nah (Mason) Eaton. She died 1728. aged forty years. He married (second), 1730. Ruth Kendall, daughter of Samuel and Mary Kendall. Ruth ( Kendall) Bancroft died 1758, aged fifty-six years. He died 1758. aged seventy-four years. Rev. Mr. Hobby called him "That good man. my friend Deacon Bancroft." The children of Deacon Raham and Abigail (Eaton) Bancroft were: Joshua, born 1712. married (first) Mary Lampson: (second) Widow Eaton: Abigail, baptized 1715; David, see forward: James, born 1729, died young; Ruth, born
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1731: Abigail, born 1733, died 1750; Judith, born 1735; James, born 1739, married (first), 1757, Sarah Pearson, (second) Sarah Parker; soldier in the revolution; selectman, representative to the general court, died 1831, aged ninety-two years.
(V) David Bancroft, son of Deacon Raham Bancroft (4), born August 2, 1718, in Reading, Massachusetts. He removed to Worcester, and set- tled in the southern part in what was called the town of Ward, now Auburn, Massachusetts. His descendants are still living in the vicinity. He married (first) Eunice - before coming to Ward. She died October 15, 1777, aged fifty-nine years. He married (second), at Ward, Ruth Stone, widow, October 14, 1779. She died August 2, 1809,
aged ninety-four years. David Bancroft died 16, 1782, aged sixty-three at Auburn, April
was dated December 15, years. His will
1781, and allowed May 6, 1782. The will mentions land in Ward and Winchendon, church pew, books, etc., and bequeathed his wife Ruth, and his children living, viz .: Eunice, David, mar- ried Betty Chase, of Sutton, July 6, 1780, at Sutton; Jonas, died January 2, 1821, aged seventy-six, wife Sarah died December 13, 1822; John, Ebenezer, Jonathan, see forward; Mary, Ruth, Hannah, Timo- thy, born 1761, married Mary Rice, June 13, 1782; Nathaniel, born 1757, died July 24, 1777.
(VI) Jonathan Bancroft, son of David Bancroft (5). was born about May 25. 1750. He removed from Ward (Auburn) about 1772, and settled where his grandson, Deacon S. W. Bancroft, lived. He was a farmer and shoemaker. The Gardner history relates that he very narrowly escaped drowning while attempting to cross the pond on the ice one evening. He fell through a hole in the ice, but suc- ceeded in getting out. He was a soldier in the revo- lutionary war, and was at the taking of Burgoyne's army in 1777. He married Sarah Case. She died February 17, 1816. He married (second) Eliza- beth -, who died December 2, 1822. He died September 25, 1826, aged seventy-six years. The
children of Jonathan and Sarah (Case) Bancroft, all born in Gardner, were: Jonathan, February 7, 1775; Smyrna, see forward: Sally, January 21. 1778; Mary, October 13, 1779; Betsey, January 7. 1782; Lucy, September 11, 1787; Roxy, May 31, 1789.
(VII) Smyrna Bancroft, second child of Jona- than Bancroft (6). was born in Gardner, Massa- chusetts, May 15, 1776. He became a prominent citizen of his native town, was assessor in 1812, 1813, 1814, and selectman in the last mentioned two years. He married Sarah Whitney, of Win- chendon. Massachusetts. He died May 5. 1818. The children of Smyrna and Sarah (Whitney) Bancroft were: Harvey M., born May 1, 1803, died November 21, 1887; married, 1828, Betsey C. Glazier, daughter of Lewis and Lucy (Keyes) Glazier, and removed to Ashburnham. Smyrna W., born Decem- ber 13, 1804. died March 9, 1880; married Lucy Jackson, daughter of Elisha and Relief (Beard) Jackson, and resided in Gardner, where they had seven children. Mary Elmira, born November 5, 1807. died November 5. 1855. Sally Whitney, born April 13, 1810, married Ephraim Wright. Amasa, see forward. Viola, born August 26. 1815, died August, 1860; married Charles W. Bush and had one son. Charles W., married Mary Bancroft, daughter of Smyrna W. Bancroft.
(VHI) Amasa Bancroft, fifth child of Smyrna Bancroft (7). was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, March 16. 1812, on the homestead, situated three- fourths of a mile northwest of the Common, first occupied and improved by his grandfather some years before the incorporation of the town. His
boyhood and youth were spent in the manner that was usual with farmers' sons in New England at that time. In the routine of his daily tasks, and under the responsibilities laid upon him, there were developed in him those habits of industry, prudence and general thriftiness, and that self-reliant spirit so essential to a strong and reliable character, which in after years served him so well in the various positions and relations of life. Arriving at mature age, he did not go to seek his fortune in larger communities where was greater promise of pro- motion and worldly success, but remained in his native town, content to enter upon whatever career of usefulness might be open to him there. The business of chairmaking had already gained a foot- hold in Gardner, and promised to become an in- dustry of importance. He entered a chair factory and spent three years in learning the trade. Then he formed a partnership with Frederick Parker, and they manufactured chairs for a year in a small shop which stands near the residence of Henry Lawrence. They then associated with themselves Messrs. Jared Taylor and Joel Baker, the firm be- ing Taylor, Bancroft & Company. They bought the pail factory of Sawin & Damon, in the south part of the town. Sawin & Damon had begun the manufacture of pails, buckets, and similar wooden ware by machinery a short time before. The new firm continued to make the same line of goods for four years. In 1840 Mr. Bancroft bought out his partners and continued alone, under the name of A. Bancroft & Company. In 1865 he took his son- in-law, John C. Bryant, into partnership, and he continued in the business until his death in 1882. At that time the firm was producing ten thousand nests of tubs of from two to eight each, valued at $25,000. Some 30.000 pails were made annually making the total product worth $25,000. The firm had a saw mill and dealt in lumber also, owning large tracts of timberland. In 1883 his stepson, Alfred Wyman, was admitted to partnership. When Mr. Bancroft died, January 26, 1888, he was the oldest pail and tub manufacturer in the United States. After his death the business .was sold to Henry Hadley & Company, and a few years later the firm lost heavily by fire and gave up business.
Mr. Bancroft was in every sense a self-made man. He rose by his own efforts from comparative poverty to modest wealth, and became a leader in the town and church. He was called upon to fill many positions of honor and trust, served the town for five years as selectman, was the first president of the First National Bank of Gardner, a position he held for seven years, and was one of the founders of the savings bank, and a trustee from the date of its establishment in 1865 to his death. He was a Republican in politics, always sought to do his whole duty to the state as well as the town, and was interested in public questions and in shaping public sentiment. Mr. Bancroft was endowed with untistial musical gifts. He had an excellent voice and a good ear. together with a great love for music. He was for many years an efficient and suc- cessful teacher of singing schools in the vicinity. For forty years he was the leader of the choir in the church to which he belonged. His voice was well trained and exceedingly effective in religious music, to which he devoted his attention chiefly. A friend, writing of him soon after his death. said : "A man of cheerful disposition, humane feelings, tender sympathies and generous impulses, every good work found in Mr. Bancroft a helper, and every philanthropie cause a friend." He was eon- siderate of the men in his employ, of the unfor- tunate and worthy poor, and his benefactions to
1
BOSTON "BLIC VERARY
Edward Ill Bliss
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such were many, but scrupulously kept from the public eye. IJe shrank from whatever might seem like notoriety or love of display, and many of his donations to objects he held most dear, were not only unknown to the world, but to those nearest to him in life. In his home he was genial, affectionate, kind and helpful, making life there sunny and glad by his presence. Mr. Bancroft was a man of strong religious convictions, and was an active member of the Congregational Church (Trinitarian).
He married, April 5. 1836, Caroline Abiel Shum- way, daughter of Nehemiah and Matilda ( Bolton) Shumway. She died September 12, 1858. Her parents had six children born in Westminster. Mr. Bancroft married (second) Jane Whitney ( Wilder) Wyman, widow, who had two sons: Henry Har- rison and Alfred Wyman. The children of Amasa and Caroline A. (Shumway) Bancroft were: Caro- line Matilda, born June 2, 1837 ( see above in Bryant sketch ), married John C. Bryant; Mary Almira, August I, 1844, died September 12, 1862. Mr. Ban- croft's step-sons: Rev. Henry H. Wyman, Paulist Father, is connected with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of San Francisco, California. Alfred Wy- man, traveling salesman, resides in Gardner.
EDWARD M. BLISS. The ancestry of Edward MI. Bliss, of Worcester, is the same as that of Will- iam H. Bliss, a sketch of whom is to be found else- where in this work, down to their grandfathers. The ancestors of Edward M. Bliss in the male line are: Thomas (1), Jonathan (2), Thomas (3), Jonathan (4), Ephraim (5), Jonathan (6). John (7), Nathan (8), Nathan (9), Abel (10), Nathan (II). Edward M. (12).
(X) Abel Bliss, son of Nathan Bliss (9), was born August 23, 1785, died July 4, 1852. He mar- ried Nicena Ballou, born March 6, 1788, died April 7. 1847. Their children were: Nathan, born Sep- tember, 1808. Abel Ballou, born February 21. 18II, died August 4, 1852. Harrison, born October 9, 1812. Russell, born December 5, 1815, died June 15, 1852. James, born July 16, 1818, died January 16, 1842; he kept a restaurant at Troy, New York : he married Julia Drury, daughter of Ephraim and Betsey Drury; she was born October 24, 1820, and died October 18, 1844; left no issue. Nicena J., born December 12, 1823, died January 7, 1845, 1111- married. Olive Lucina, born July 3, 1825, married, May 9, 1847, Charles C. Balch, carpenter, resided at Shirley Village, Massachusetts; he was born in 1821, a son of Francis and Sally Balch.
(XI) Nathan Bliss, son of Abel Bliss (10). born September. 1808, married, 1832, Emily. daugh- ter of James and Freelove Lovett, born Shutesbury, Massachusetts, January, 1806, died March 16, 1865. Their children were: Amelia J., born October 7. 1833. Helen J., born April 9, 1836, died November 9. 1838. Julia L., born January 4, 1838, married, July 2. 1856, William F. Gordon. and died March 21, 1860; they had no children. Nicena J., born at Royalston, May 1, 1840, married, December 17, 1861, Azro K. Greene, postoffice clerk, born at Bernards- ton, Massachusetts, September 29, 1831, and died at Orange. Massachusetts: his widow resides at Orange, Massachusetts. They were the parents of one child, Cora Allie Greene, born at Bernards- ton, December 25. 1864. Alfreda M., born at Win- hall, Vermont, May 7. 1842, married, October 5, 1865, Charles S. Hopping, of Worcester. Massachu- setts, born in Templeton, Massachusetts, 1836, son of Asa and Betsey Hopping. Frederick J., born at Winhall, Vermont, June 21, 1844: he, like his father, is a farmer, and resides on the old homestead in 11-28
Royalston, Massachusetts ; he married, December 19, 1870, Maria L. Cook, of Worcester, and their chil- dren were: Florence Julia; Rolland Nathan; Amy May, and Alta. Edward MI., see forward.
(XII) Edward MI. Bliss, son of Nathan Bliss (11). was born at Winhall, Vermont, November 25, 1840. He was reared in the same manner as the majority of sons of farmers in those days, working on the farm during the summer months and attend- ing the common and high schools at Winhall and Royalston during the winter months. He com- pleted his studies in the Powers Institute, Bernards- ton, Massachusetts, which he attended for a short period of time. When ten years of age his parents removed to the old Bliss homestead in Royalston township, Worcester, where his father and grand- father were born, the same still being in the pos- session of the Bliss family. In early manhood he devoted his attention to teaching school, but, pos- sessing a natural taste for mechanics, he abandoned this vocation and learned the trade of cabinetmaker, which he followed for a number of years. For al- most three years has was connected with the Estey Organ Company, at Brattleboro, Vermont. In 1876 he engaged in canvassing for books, in which line of work he met with signal success, and he fre- quently mentioned this vocation with considerable pride, claiming that it was of considerable benefit to him along educational lines, thus coming in con- tact with mien of business and learning. Later he turned his attention to the life insurance business, and throughout this entire period laid the founda- tion of his later success in business life by depend- ing on his own resources. January 14, 1882, he set- tled in Worcester, and in 1883 entered into partner- ship with John C. Bickford in the manufacture of lambswool soles and hand crocheted slippers, their shop being located at No. 13 Mechanic street, Wor- cester. The business was successful from the start, and the firm of Bickford & Bliss acquired an en- viable reputation in the trade on these lines of goods. Mr. Bliss purchased the interest of his partner, February 1, 1894, and continued the business alone under his own name until his death. Hle occu- pied commodious quarters at the original location until March 17, 1905, when the plant was destroyed by fire. He then moved to No. 18 Salem street, a new building of very substantial construction. His. plant was a model one, thoroughly equipped with special machinery devised for the production of these goods. Mr. Bliss did not wait for the invention of machines to meet his needs. but con- stantly experimented in order to improve those already in use, and took out several patents on specialties which he manufactured. The success of this industry has been in great measure due to the machines invented by Mr. Bliss and his associates for the class of work produced in his factory. A few specialties are made beside the slippers and soles, but they received only secondary attention at the hands of Mr. Bliss. The slippers and soles are made in all sizes and patterns. Some thirty
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