Ward R. Bliss

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.

Ward R. Bliss
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Delaware County
In office 1889–1905
Preceded by	Albert Magnin
Succeeded by	Crosby M. Black
Personal details
Born	December 15, 1855 Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Died	January 6, 1905 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Republican

Early life and education

Bliss was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1874[1] and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.[2]

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.

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".[3]

In 1882, Bliss became owner and editor of the Delaware County Republican newspaper in Chester, Pennsylvania and continued in that capacity until 1893.[4]

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 8 consecutive terms, served as chairman of the committee of appropriations[5] and as Majority Leader from 1903-1904.[1]

Bliss died in office and his vacancy was filled by Crosby M. Black.[6]

Personal life

Bliss died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is interred at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.[7]

References

1. "Ward R. Bliss". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
2. Harmon, Roy Milton (1916). The Sigma Chi Fraternity Manual and Directory. Chicago: Sigma Chi Fraternity. p. 53. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
3. 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 26 August 2018.
4. Jordan, John W. (1914). A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 514. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
5. Jordan, John W. (1914). A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 497. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
6. Smull, John Augustus (1906). Smull's legislative hand book and manual of the State of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Publishing Co. p. 806. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
7. "Ward Raymond Bliss". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Albert Magnin	Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Delaware County 1889–1905	Succeeded by Crosby M. Black