Bio of BLISS, William J. (b.1880), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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WILLIAM J. BLISS - Vol III, pg 496
William J. Bliss, cashier of the Millers & Traders Bank, is one of the well
known and highly esteemed citizens of Minneapolis. He was born on the 21st of
January, 1880, in Fall River, Wisconsin, a son of John W. and Clara E. (Smith)
Bliss. The father, whose death occurred at the age of sixty years, was a
millwright in Flaxton, North Dakota, for some years. His wife's father was also
a millwright, living at Fall River.
In the acquirement of his education William J. Bliss attended the public schools
of Stewart, Minnesota, and at an early age put his textbooks aside. He then went
to work in a flour mill in Stewart, as helper, in which capacity he was active
for a year. At the termination of that time he became a salesman for an
implement house, being thus employed for a like period. Subsequently he accepted
a position as bookkeeper in the Farmers & Merchants State Bank and his close
application to the thing at hand and innate ability won him promotion to the
position of assistant cashier, serving in that position for two years. Then he
was assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Kenman, North Dakota, but
after a year he returned to Stewart and again became assistant cashier of the
Farmers & Mer­chants State Bank. A year and a half later he was appointed
postmaster of Stewart and he discharged the duties of that office for five
years, giving to that community the best mail service possible. In 1912 he came
to Minneapolis and became bookkeeper for the First National Bank, being employed
by that institution for five years, or until he resigned to accept a position as
assistant cashier of the Millers & Traders State Bank in this city. Three years
later he became cashier of that institution and he is splendidly meeting the
requirements of his position. Mr. Bliss is a man of genial and pleasing
personality and has made many friends for the bank. The success he has achieved
is not the result of chance or luck but it is the result of intelligently
directed efforts, laudable ambition and innate busi­ness ability. Mr. Bliss owns
a beautiful home in this city, valued at six thousand five hundred dollars.
In Hudson, Wisconsin, in June, 1906, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bliss
and Miss Ella Mallay, a daughter of Thomas Mallay. Her father engaged in
agricultural pursuits for many years, and at the age of eighty-two years he is
enjoying the best of health. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bliss two children
have been born: Irene, who is fifteen years of age; and Melvin, thirteen.
Mr. Bliss votes with the republican party, and although he has never sought nor
desired political preferment, he is actively interested in party affairs and is
conversant with all important questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is
identified with the Modern Woodmen and he is a consistent communicant of St.
Thomas Catholic church. Mr. Bliss has had little time for anything but business
and he well merits the confidence and esteem accorded him by his fellowmen. He
is essentially a home man, finding his greatest pleasure in being with his wife
and children.