George Bliss (Massachusetts politician)

George Bliss
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office
1853–1853
Preceded by Nathaniel Prentice Banks
Succeeded by Otis Phillips Lord
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
21st President of the Massachusetts Senate
In office
1835–1835
Preceded by Benjamin T. Pickman
Succeeded by Horace Mann
Member of the
Massachusetts State Senate
Personal details
Born November 16, 1793
Died April 19, 1873
Profession Attorney at law

George Bliss (November 16, 1793 – April 19, 1873) was an American businessman and politician and served as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and President of the Massachusetts Senate.

Early life

Bliss, the eldest son of Hon. George Bliss, by his first wife, Hannah, (daughter of Dr. John Clark, of Lebanon, Conn), was born in Springfield, Mass., November 16, 1793.

Education

Bliss graduated from Yale College in 1812.

Upon graduation from Yale he entered his father's law office to read the law and study for the Massachusetts Bar Examination, and on being admitted to practice, in September 1815, established himself in Monson, Mass., where he remained for 7 years. He then returned to Springfield, entering into partnership with Jonathan Dwight, Jr., whose daughter Mary he married in April 1825. In 1827 he entered public life as a member of the House of Representatives of Mass., and was re-elected in 1828, 1829 and 1853, serving in the last instance as Speaker; he was also chosen a member (and President) of the Massachusetts State Senate in 1835.

Among many public enterprises which occupied Bliss' attention, the chief was his bringing the Western Railroad, between Worcester and Albany, to a successful completion. On retiring from the Presidency of this road, in 1846, Bliss visited Europe, and after his return became interested in other railroad schemes, chiefly at the West, in conducting which he gained an enviable reputation. In May 1860, Bliss withdrew from all active business. Bliss died in Springfield, April 19, 1873, in his 80th year. His wife died a few years before him. Of their three children, one died in infancy, and a son and daughter survived him.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.

Massachusetts Senate
Preceded by
Benjamin T. Pickman
President of the Massachusetts Senate
1835
Succeeded by
Horace Mann
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Preceded by
Nathaniel Prentice Banks
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
1853
Succeeded by
Otis Phillips Lord
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