Ward R. Bliss

Ward R. Bliss
Bliss in a 1893 publication
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Delaware County district
In office
1889–1905
Preceded byAlbert Magnin
Succeeded byCrosby M. Black
Personal details
BornDecember 15, 1855
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 6, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeLewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Parent
RelativesTasker H. Bliss (brother)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

Ward Raymond Bliss (December 15, 1855 - January 6, 1905) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Delaware County from 1889 to 1906 and as Majority Leader from 1903 to 1904.

Early life and education

Ward Raymond Bliss was born on December 15, 1855, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to George Ripley Bliss. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1874[1][2] and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.[3]

Career

In 1874, Bliss moved to Chester, Pennsylvania. He worked as a teacher while studying law and was admitted to the Delaware County bar in 1878.[4]

In 1881, Bliss began publishing a weekly legal journal, of which 5 volumes were published in book form under the title "The Delaware County Reports". He also published a "Digest of the Local Laws of Delaware County".[5]

In 1882, Bliss became owner and editor of the Delaware County Republican newspaper in Chester, Pennsylvania and continued in that capacity until 1893.[6] He was an incorporator of the Cumberland Telephone Company, later renamed the United Telephone Company. He worked as general counsel for the United Telephone Company.[4] He had a law partnership with A. B. Geary.[7]

He worked as chair of the Delaware County Republican Committee in 1887 and was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Delaware County defeating Albert Magnin in 1889. Bliss was re-elected to serve eight consecutive terms, served as chairman of the committee of appropriations[4][8] and as Majority Leader from 1903-1904.[1]

Bliss died in office and his vacancy was filled by Crosby M. Black.[9]

Personal life

Bliss did not marry. His brothers were Robert E. Bliss, Tasker H. Bliss and H. H. Bliss.[10]

Bliss died following hospitalization for pneumonia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is interred at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.[1][4][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ward R. Bliss". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  2. ^ "Capitol Hill". Harrisburg Telegraph. March 28, 1893. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Harmon, Roy Milton (1916). The Sigma Chi Fraternity Manual and Directory. Chicago: Sigma Chi Fraternity. p. 53. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Ward R. Bliss Dead at the Age of 49 Years". The Star-Independent. January 6, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ Rodearmel, William (1893). Portraits of the Heads of State Departments and Portraits and Sketches of Members of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, 1893-1894. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: E.K. Meyers Printing House. p. 169. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Jordan, John W. (1914). A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 514. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  7. ^ "Ward R. Bliss, House Leader Passes Away". Harrisburg Telegraph. January 6, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  8. ^ Jordan, John W. (1914). A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 497. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  9. ^ Smull, John Augustus (1906). Smull's legislative hand book and manual of the State of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Publishing Co. p. 806. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  10. ^ "Ward R. Bliss Dying in City". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 6, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  11. ^ "Representative Bliss Ill of Pneumonia". Harrisburg Telegraph. January 3, 1905. p. 7. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Delaware County
1889–1905 		Succeeded by