Philemon Bliss

Philemon Bliss
in35th Congress
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromOhio's14thdistrict
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	Harvey H. Johnson
Succeeded by	Cyrus Spink
Personal details
Born	(1813-07-28)July 28, 1813 Canton, Connecticut
Died	August 25, 1889(1889-08-25)(aged 76) Saint Paul, Minnesota
Resting place	Columbia Cemetery (Columbia, Missouri)
Political party	Republican,Opposition
Spouse	Martha W. Thorpe
Children	three
Alma mater	Hamilton College

Philemon Bliss(July 28, 1813 – August 25, 1889) was anOhioCongressman, the firstchief justiceof the Supreme Court ofDakota Territory,and aMissouriSupreme Court justice.

Early life and education

Bliss was born inCanton, Connecticutin 1813 to Asahel Bliss and Lydia Adams (Griswold) Bliss. He attendedFairfield AcademyandHamilton College,where he studied law. He moved toElyria, Ohio,where he studied law under his brotherAlbert.

Career

In 1840 Bliss passed the bar and began practicing law, first inCuyahoga Falls, Ohioand later inElyria, Ohio.On November 16, 1843 he married Martha W. Thorpe. They had three children.He served as presiding judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit of Ohio from 1848 through 1851. Bliss ran for congressional office as arepublicanand was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives.He served in the34th Congressas anOppositionistand35th Congressas aRepublican,but did not run for re-election in 1858. PresidentAbraham Lincolnappointed Bliss chief justice of theSupreme Court of Dakota Territoryin 1861. He also served asassociate justiceof theSupreme Court of Missourifrom 1868 through 1872.

Later career

After his retirement from the bench, Bliss becameLaw Deanfor theUniversity of Missouri,where he served until his death inSaint Paul, Minnesotain 1889. He is buried at theColumbia CemeteryinColumbia, Missouri.

Legacy

The Philemon Bliss Scholarship was established at theUniversity of Missouri School of Lawin his honor.

References

• United States Congress."Philemon Bliss (id: B000560)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.