Census: 1880 Milton Junction, Rock Co., Wisconsin: age 19

Elford Duane Bliss 1860-1918
"The Milton Journal-Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, May 16, 1918, p 1.
Elford Duane Bliss was born in Milton, Wis., July 8, 1860. He was the eldest of three children born to Charles James and Celestia Coon Bliss, the two survivors being Florence Bliss of Mount Vernon, Mo., and Mrs. Bertha Spafford of Rockford, Ill. He gained a common school education and attended Milton College.
He was married to Margaret Steer Crumb August 1, 1881. Three of their children died in infancy. Their son Leon Earl Bliss, has his home in Valier, Mon. He and his family recently visited his parents here. Their daughter, Mrs. Kathryn Rogers, lives in Milton. There are four grandchildren.
After a year spent in business with an uncle in Richburg, N. Y., Mr. Bliss entered into partnership with his father, handling farm implements at Milton Junction. In 1885 he founded the business with which his name has since been associated, selling organs and sewing machines, then adding pianos. He was reliable and dependable, industrious and tactful, and the business thrived.
He has been a valuable man in his community, and widely known and trusted in the communities about. He formed deep friendships with the people with whom he had business relations. For twenty years he was a member of the School Board, giving careful; conscientious service. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Milton College, and a valuable member of the Publicity Committee. He was for many years a trustee of his church, serving for many years as treasurer. He was a vice president of the Bank of Milton. He passed through all the chairs and honors of Du Lac Lodge I. O. O. F., and was for years Chaplain.
When a young boy he enlisted in the service of Christ and was baptized, joining the Milton S. D. B. church of which he has since remained a member. He was active in young people's work in early years, being a constituent member of the Excell Band. He was a strong supporter of Bible school, Brotherhood, and the various church activities. He had a deep interest in the extension of Christ's Kingdom in all ways. He was strong in his convictions, but tolerant and charitable in his judgment of others. Like his Master, he took an interest in people without regard to the barriers of race or social organization. He sought to do all the good he could as he passed along the road of life. A large number of people looked upon him as a dear personal friend. He was a lover of home and a most cordial host.
He has had heart trouble for many years, due to an overstrain in connection with his moving pianos. Several months ago he had to give up business. A few days before his death, which occurred on May 11, he quietly and calmly told his wife that he would not recover. She must not feel blue about it. It was one of the common things of life. He had always felt that way about it. They had had good times together and he appreciated her constant presence with him during his sickness. He had always felt that he would be the first to go. It was all right. "The peace that passeth all understanding" was in his steady, loving tone.
Funeral services were held at the S. D. B. church on the afternoon of May 14. The large auditorium was completely filled with those bound to him by the ties of blood and by the ties of human fellowship. It was an hour of great tenderness. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers. Pastor Randolph's text was, Matt. 20:28: "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." A large number of people from Janesville, Edgerton, Delavan, Rock Prairie, Albion, Albion Prairie, Lima and other communities, as well as from the twin villages. Among the nearer relatives present were Mrs. Berta Spafford of Rockford, Ill., W. D. Bliss and wife of Wauwatosa, and Miss Elizabeth Steer of Harvard, Ill.

Residence: 1870 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin: with Mr. & Mrs. Wells Crumb
Census: 1880 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin: age 17, w Hannah Crumb

Margaret Jane (Steer) Bliss 1862-1927
"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 103, No 25, p 799, Dec. 19, 1927.
Margaret Jane, daughter of Thomas William and Mary Mitchell Steer, was born September 3, 1862, near Bethany, Ontario, and died December 3, 1927 at Wisconsin General Hospital, Madison.
Margaret was the fourth of a family of six children, and she is survived by one sister, Miss Elizabeth Ann Steer.
The mother died when Margaret was six years of age. Two years later she came with her father to Milton and found a home in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wells Crumb.
She was married August 1, 1880, to Elford Duane Bliss. Five children were born to them; three of whom - Whitford, Jamie, and Elizabeth - died in infancy. She is survived by two children, Leon Earl Bliss of Valier, Mont., and Kathryn Margaret (Mrs. Walter E. Rogers) of Milton, Wis.
During all the years her home has been in Milton. She became a member of the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church in 1877, and has ever maintained a deep interest in its work. She was active in circle number two of the women's organization of the church and was a member of the Village Improvement Club, and of the King's Daughters. She lives usefully in the community and will be long remembered with much appreciation.
The farewell service was held from the Milton Seventh Day Baptist church on the afternoon of December 5, 1927, and interment was made in the Milton Cemetery. Pastor James L. Skaggs and Rev. Edwin Shaw were the officiating clergymen. A quartet consisting of President Alfred E.. Whitford, Doctor George W. Post, Professor D. Nelson Inglis, and Professor William D. Burdick, sang appropriate selections. The organist was Miss Alberta Crandall. J. L. S.