My Genealogy Hound

E. C. BLISS, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 7; P. O. Towanda; one of the old settlers of McLean Co.; Congregationalist; Republican; born in Bristol Co., Mass., Nov. 27, 1822. At the age of 22 years, he learned and worked at the carpenter trade until 1846, when he went to Havana, Cuba, and worked at his trade in the car-shops some eight months; in 1851, he came to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., and worked at his trade for ten years; in 1861, he came to Blue Mound Township, and, in 1864, he purchased 160 acres of wild land, which he has since improved, and where he has since lived. His marriage with Lucy A. Harmon was celebrated in St. Louis April 20, 1852; she was born in Suffield, Conn., June 13, 1830; they were the parents of three children, of whom two are now living — Herbert E., born May 30, 1854, and Leonard H., May 4, 1865, and who weighed 210 pounds at 14 years of age, and is considered the largest boy of his age in the county. While in Cuba, Mr. Bliss became so impressed with the evil effects of slavery, that, upon his return home, he affiliated with the Abolitionists until he witnessed the extinction of slavery in this country, since which time he has labored for the success of the Republican party.